Novak Djokovic remains on course to win his 10th Australian Open title and although Andrey Rublev is not looking forward to Wednesday’s quarter-final clash, he is hopeful he can stop the Serbian’s title charge.
In a moment of disarming honesty after his five-set victory over Holger Roon, Rublev admitted he was not relishing the opportunity to face 21-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic on his favorite court.
“Nobody wants to face Novak,” Rublev said with a laugh at Rod Laver Arena, even though Djokovic had yet to play his fourth-round match at the time. “I prefer to be in some other part of the draw – but not Novak.”
Rublev’s worries were probably justified later when Djokovic beat home favorite Alex de Minaur 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 for his 38th straight win on Australian soil. He hasn’t lost at Melbourne Park since round four in 2018.
In contrast, fifth seed Rublev edged Roan on match point courtesy of a net cord, before winning 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 4–6, 7–6 (11–9). Rally from , He admitted that luck will not favor him against Djokovic.
Rublev later told reporters, “The only chance I have is if I play my best tennis, just fight for every ball, and that’s the only chance.”
Djokovic is flourishing on his return to Melbourne a year after his shock deportation, and appears to have recovered from the hamstring injury that was the biggest stumbling block in his quest for a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title.
Regarding Rublev, Djokovic said, “He’s already been a top-five, top-10 player for a couple of years.”
“Incredible firepower, especially from serves and forehand corners. Just a very explosive player – a bit like De Minaur, so hopefully the result will be similar.”
The other men’s match on Wednesday features unseeded Americans Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul, both reaching their first Grand Slam quarter-finals to continue the American men’s success this year.
The surprise match between Shelton, 20, and Paul, 25, will be the first Slam quarter-final between two American men since 2007, when Andy Roddick defeated Mardy Fish at the Australian Open, and put America in its first men’s semi-final. Will assure Finalist in Melbourne since Roddick in 2009.
There is also a new face in the women’s draw, with Poland’s Magda Linet playing in her first major quarter-final at the age of 30 and taking on former world number one Karolina Pliskova.
Fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka is yet to drop a set in 2023 and will be aiming to reach her first Australian Open semi-final when she takes on unseeded Croatian Donna Vekic.
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Andrey Rublev of Russia celebrates winning his fourth round match against Holger Roone of Denmark at the Australian Open on January 23, 2023 in Melbourne Park, Australia.
Reuters/Carl Racine