Novak Djokovic is still the player to beat at this Australian Open. In a routine three-set workout against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the world No 1 looked as fit and lean as the first time he played the Frenchman here – in 2008, when he broke through for the first of his six Melbourne titles – although he will need to stay sharp to deter the hungry teenager Denis Shapovalov in the third round on Saturday.
The Serb has a relatively straightforward passage to the final, with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal likely to meet in the semis on the other side of the draw, and, in a little over two hours on Rod Laver Arena on day four, there was not much Tsonga could do to stop him winning 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.
“I played pretty well for a set and a half, and I gained confidence in the third,” Djokovic said. “It’s tough for Jo, who’s struggled with injuries the past year. But he’s always been a top player.”
Shapovalov, No 27 in the world, had to put the work in to get past the unseeded Japanese Taro Daniel in three competitive sets. The Canadian with the big game and towering self-confidence said: “It’s going to be awesome, just awesome, to play against Novak, to see how my game matches up against his. Honestly, there’s no pressure on me. He’s the favourite. I’m just going to give it my best shot and see what happens. I’ve been playing really good tennis so, if that continues, I could make it a tough match for him – even try to win it.”
Earlier, the outstanding young Australian wildcard Alexei Popyrin – who beat Andy Murray’s shock 2017 conqueror here, Mischa Zverev, on day two – ground down the injured French Open finalist Dominic Thiem, seeded seven, 7-5, 6-4, 2-0 (ret) in an hour and 44 minutes. The Sydney teenager next plays Lucas Pouille, who beat Max Marterer in a tough four-setter.
As a junior, Popyrin won 22 matches in a row, collecting four titles, including the French Open boys championship, the first Australian to reign there since Phil Dent in 1968. Ranked the No 2 junior in the world, he immediately joined the full Tour, and is already ranked 149.
Like Alex de Minaur, who is leading the youthful Australian charge and plays the 2009 champion, Rafael Nadal on Friday evening, Popyrin lives part-time in Spain. He has also trained with Patrick Mouratoglou and has hit with Serena Williams.
“Alex had an unbelievable week last week [when he won two matches in a day to become Sydney International champion], and is carrying it on this week,” Popyrin said. “It’s great to have two players the same age, who grew up together, playing some of the best tennis.”
Popyrin and De Minaur will be joined by Alex Bolt, the world No 155 from Murray Bridge in South Australia – who quit the Tour a few years ago to rediscover his enthusiasm for the game – against the buzzing Alexander Zverev. Bolt came through qualifying here and on Thursday beat the 29th seed, Gilles Simon, in five sets spread over four hours.
He is relishing the challenge of moving into the third round, alongside compatriots who clearly have bonded well. “Three Alexes through to the third round,” he said. “That’s pretty cool.”
However, it is the other Alex – Zverev – who is Djokovic’s main threat before the final. The world No 4 came through some difficult patches before beating Jérémy Chardy in five sets and said: “What an amazing match. Jérémy fought so hard. He’s an unbelievable player. He showed again he’s a great fighter. It was always going to be an insane match.”
On playing Bolt, he said: “He’s going to be the hometown favourite. He quit tennis a few years ago and now he’s in the third round of the Open. It’s a great story.”
On a day that threw up the usual surprises, Kei Nishikori absorbed 59 aces to beat Ivo Karlovic – who also lost at Wimbledon last year, when putting 61 serves past Jan-Lennard Struff. The tournament leader here is the 6ft 11in American Reilly Opelka, who left Melbourne despite putting 67 aces on Thomas Fabbiano to bring his total to 107 in two matches.
