World No 1 Novak Djokovic has another record under his name by beating Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets in men’s singles fourth round, while women’s singles defending champion Simona Halep faced little challenge to make the quarterfinals.
Following a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Struff on Monday., Djokovic became the first man to reach 10 consecutive quarters at the tournament, and his 13th quarterfinal appearance in total.
The top-ranked Serbian outclassed his German opponent with 86 per cent wins on first serve and 31 winners. “I am satisfied so far with my game. I reached the quarterfinals and played as closest to my best tennis on clay as I think I can be at the moment. I’m really pleased with every aspect of my game,” said Djokovic.
Djokovic will next face fifth-seeded Alexander Zverev, who rallied past No. 9 seed Fabio Fognini 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (5).
The other quarterfinal in the top half will feature last year’s finalist Dominic Thiem and 10th-seeded Karen Khachanov.
Thiem saw off local favorite Gael Monfils 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, while Khachanov reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal by overcoming Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro 7-5, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
After squandering two match points in the fourth set, Kei Nishikori got past another Frenchman Benoit Paire 6-2, 6-7 (8), 6-2, 6-7 (8), 7-5, setting up a quarterfinal clash with 11-time champion Rafael Nadal.
Unaffected by consecutive exits of prominent names in women’s singles, Halep tamed the 18-year-old Iga Swiatek of Poland 6-1, 6-0 in 45 minutes.
Next up for the reigning champion will be another youngster Amanda Anisimova. The 17-year-old American beat Spanish qualifier Aliona Bolsova 6-3, 6-0.
Following their memorable victories in the previous round, over 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams and world No 1 Naomi Osaka respectively, Sofia Kenin and Katerina Siniakova had to stop their quest for moving on.
The 35th-ranked Kenin lost to eighth-seeded Ashleigh Barty of Australia 6-3, 3-6, 6-0. Siniakova also bowed out with a 6-2, 6-4 defeat to No. 14 seed Madison Keys.
Meanwhile, Chinese players continued their trip on women’s doubles court. Xu Yifan and Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada shrugged off Frenchwomen Fiona Ferro and Diane Parry 6-1, 7-6 (5).
Zhang Shuai and Samantha Stosur beat Victoria Azarenka and Ashleigh Barty 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, with their opponents in the 2019 Australian Open final Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic waiting in the quarterfinals.
