Australian Open 2025 results: Carlos Alcaraz plans kangaroo tattoo, Novak Djokovic wins
In the evening match, Novak Djokovic defeated Czech Tomas Makhach in straight sets and secured a spot in the fourth round.
The Serbian looked exhausted at times during the match and required a medical timeout in the second set, but prevailed 6-1 6-4 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena.
The match was considered a potential stumbling block for the seventh seed, but 26th-seeded Machak’s 35 unforced errors accounted for more than a third of Djokovic’s points.
“I was a little surprised by the result and beating him in straight sets,” Djokovic said.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam title and 11th title in Melbourne, easily won the first set.
However, a series of intense exchanges and an early break in the second set left Djokovic using an inhaler and requiring a medical timeout.
“I was trying to catch my breath. I was struggling a little bit. I’m not 19 anymore and, you know, a game goes through different phases,” he said.
Djokovic clinched victory with a dominant performance in the third set, frustrating Djokovic as the crowd kept shouting during the points.
Djokovic will face Czech 24th seed Jiri Lehka in the round of 16 before setting up a mouth-watering clash with Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.
In other matches, American 12th seed Tommy Paul defeated Spain’s Roberto Cabares Baena 7-6 (7-0) 6-2 6-0, while France’s Hugo Hen Bert advanced after compatriot Arthur Fells withdrew due to injury early in the fourth set of the match.
