NOVAK Djokovic eased into the fourth round of the Australian Open for a 15th time today.
The Serb defeated Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 6-3 6-4 to continue his quest for a record-extending 10th Australian Open men’s singles title and a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam success.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray is out of the tournament after eventually losing to Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in a brave display where the Scot struggled to move.
Former world number one Murray finished his second-round match at 4am yesterday and, returning to court 39 hours later, was beaten 6-1 6-7 (7-9) 6-3 6-4.
The 35-year-old, who had career-threatening hip surgery in 2019, was the last Briton to fall in the singles.
Earlier today, Dan Evans lost 6-4 6-2 6-3 to fifth seed Andrey Rublev.
American Ben Shelton overcame local favourite Alexei Popyrin 6-3 7-6(4) 6-4 to move into the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.
In women’s singles, Aryna Sabalenka will face Olympic champion Belinda Bencic for her first Australian Open quarter-final after defeating Elise Mertens 6-2 6-3 today.
Twelfth seed Belinda Bencic stormed into the fourth round with a hard-fought 6-2 7-5 conquest over Camila Giorgi.
Also today, Caroline Garcia battled through to the fourth round for the first time since 2018, beating Laura Siegemund 1-6 6-3 6-3.
