ATP world number one Novak Djokovic defeated 20th seed Adrian Mannarino 6-0, 6-0, 6-3 to progress to the last eight of the Australian Open quarterfinals. He matches Roger Federer’s record of progressing to 58 Grand Slam quarterfinals.

Djokovic’s victory came in a swift hour and 44 minutes, with the Serb hitting 31 winners and serving 17 aces. “The first two sets were some of the best sets I’ve played in a while,” Djokovic remarked, not dropping a single game. “I played great from the first to the last point.”

Should the number one seed emerge victorious in his 14th quarterfinal clash, he could be on course to win a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. He next faces 12th seed Taylor Fritz, who defeated the seventh-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

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After receiving a medical exemption for gaining entry to the Australian Open grand slam regardless of his COVID-19 vaccination status, Novak Djokovic will be required to provide acceptable proof that validates such medical grounds, the Australian home affairs minister Karen Andrews explained in a statement. This comes after the ATP world number one ATP announced his intention to participate in the tournament on social media.

Initially, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison explained that the decision to permit entry to Djokovic lay with the government of Victoria, the state where the Australian Open will be held. Andrews later elaborated, explaining that when Djokovic initially arrives at the airport, it will be the national government that determines whether he will be granted entry to the country.

“If an arriving individual is not vaccinated, they must provide acceptable proof that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons to be able to access the same travel arrangement as fully vaccinated travelers,” Andrews confirmed.

With supporters and critics commenting on Djokovic’s situation, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley came out in defense of the reigning Australian Open champion, explaining that Djokovic underwent the full legitimate process for a vaccine exemption.

The post Novak Djokovic Required to Prove Vaccine Exemption Ahead of Australian Open appeared first on SportzBonanza.

While this year’s Australian Open offering some surprises, the favorites have mainly held their own so far. This includes Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic, who both booked the ticket for the semi-finals on Tuesday.

Williams saw some challenges from the No. 2-ranked Simona Halep but still managed to finish the job in straight sets and get a 6-3, 6-3 win.

The 39-year-old American won the first set easily, being in front every step of the way. Halep responded well in the second, starting with a 3-1 lead where it seemed like Williams had her work cut out for her.

Still, Williams managed to turn things around and won five straight sets to stay in the tournament.

“I think this was the best match I have played at this tournament for sure,” said Williams after the match. “I knew it had to be going up against the No. 2 in the world. I had to be better, and I was, so I’m excited.”

Williams will play Naomi Osaka on Thursday for a place in the finals.

Djokovic, on the other hand, scored a win against the No. 6-ranked Alexander Zverev.

Despite losing the first set in the tiebreaker, the Serbian kept his composure and went on to produce a dominant performance in the next two sets and get ahead with 6-2 and 6-4 wins.

Zverev came close to taking the match to five sets but couldn’t capitalize on a 3-0 lead in the fourth. Djokovic found a way back and took the set in the tiebreaker, where he came out on the winning end.

Djokovic is now set to play this year’s sensation Aslan Karatsev in the semi-final bout.

The post Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic Advance to Australian Open Semis appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Novak Djokovic’s bid to win his third straight Australian Open is in serious jeopardy despite defeating Taylor Fritz on Friday to advance to the fourth round of the tournament.

Speaking with reporters after the match, Djokovic revealed that he has a muscle tear that might force him to retire from the event.

“I know it’s a tear, definitely, of the muscle. So I don’t know if I’ll manage to recover from that in less than two days,” said Djokovic. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know if I’m going to step out onto the court or not.”

Djokovic got a comfortable 7-6, 6-4 lead over Fritz to start the match, and it seemed like he was heading to another easy win. But the contest took an unexpected turn when the reigning Australian Open champ awkwardly slipped while attempting to change directions.

Djokovic had to take a medical timeout and was obviously not at 100 percent once he returned. Fritz used his opportunity and crawled his way back by winning the next two sets with 3-6, 4-6.

Still, when it mattered the most, Djokovic rallied and managed to hold off the 23-year-old American in the fifth.

“I am just very proud of this achievement tonight,” Djokovic added. “Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”

Novak Djokovic is set to play against the No. 14-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic in the fourth round on Sunday. Raonic has faced Djokovic 11 times before and never managed to defeat him.

The post Novak Djokovic Says He Has a “Muscle Tear” Ahead of Australian Open 4th Round appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Novak Djokovic mainly cruised through Australian Open 2020, he but found himself in trouble when it mattered the most. He was down 2-1 in the final of the tournament against Dominic Thiem, and it looked like the Serbian wouldn’t capitalize on his great run. Still, as many times before, Djokovic gathered his composure and delivered another impressive comeback to capture his eight career and second consecutive Australian Open title.

After winning the first set with ease, Djokovic struggled in the second and third set. His serve wasn’t there and he was visibly tired. Thiem used the opportunity to win both sets and get just one set away from winning his first career Grand Slam.

“I was on the brink of losing the match. Dominic … disrupted my rhythm in my game at one point. He was a better player,” said Djokovic. “Probably one point — and one shot — separated us tonight.”

After the third set, Djokovic took a break and had a consultation with his doctor and trainer. Then he returned to court, and everything changed. The 32-year-old looked revitalized and managed to mount a comeback, which saw him win the fourth set with 6-3 and then have an early break in the fifth to win it 6-4 and close out the match.

“It was anybody’s game, really. I knew that very early in the fifth set, it was crucial for me to make a break,” Djokovic said. “I had that mental edge again, and that was enough to win it.”

Novak Djokovic’s eight Australian Opens are an absolute record in men’s category, with the second most being six won by Roger Federer in Open Era and Roy Emerson in the Amateur Era. Djokovic also climbed to 17 career Grand Slams, with only Federer (20) and Rafael Nadal (19) having more.

The post Novak Djokovic Defends His Australian Open Title appeared first on SportzBonanza.

ATP world number one Novak Djokovic defeated 20th seed Adrian Mannarino 6-0, 6-0, 6-3 to progress to the last eight of the Australian Open quarterfinals. He matches Roger Federer’s record of progressing to 58 Grand Slam quarterfinals.

Djokovic’s victory came in a swift hour and 44 minutes, with the Serb hitting 31 winners and serving 17 aces. “The first two sets were some of the best sets I’ve played in a while,” Djokovic remarked, not dropping a single game. “I played great from the first to the last point.”

Should the number one seed emerge victorious in his 14th quarterfinal clash, he could be on course to win a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. He next faces 12th seed Taylor Fritz, who defeated the seventh-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

The post Djokovic Matches Grand Slam Quarterfinal Record appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After receiving a medical exemption for gaining entry to the Australian Open grand slam regardless of his COVID-19 vaccination status, Novak Djokovic will be required to provide acceptable proof that validates such medical grounds, the Australian home affairs minister Karen Andrews explained in a statement. This comes after the ATP world number one ATP announced his intention to participate in the tournament on social media.

Initially, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison explained that the decision to permit entry to Djokovic lay with the government of Victoria, the state where the Australian Open will be held. Andrews later elaborated, explaining that when Djokovic initially arrives at the airport, it will be the national government that determines whether he will be granted entry to the country.

“If an arriving individual is not vaccinated, they must provide acceptable proof that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons to be able to access the same travel arrangement as fully vaccinated travelers,” Andrews confirmed.

With supporters and critics commenting on Djokovic’s situation, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley came out in defense of the reigning Australian Open champion, explaining that Djokovic underwent the full legitimate process for a vaccine exemption.

The post Novak Djokovic Required to Prove Vaccine Exemption Ahead of Australian Open appeared first on SportzBonanza.

While this year’s Australian Open offering some surprises, the favorites have mainly held their own so far. This includes Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic, who both booked the ticket for the semi-finals on Tuesday.

Williams saw some challenges from the No. 2-ranked Simona Halep but still managed to finish the job in straight sets and get a 6-3, 6-3 win.

The 39-year-old American won the first set easily, being in front every step of the way. Halep responded well in the second, starting with a 3-1 lead where it seemed like Williams had her work cut out for her.

Still, Williams managed to turn things around and won five straight sets to stay in the tournament.

“I think this was the best match I have played at this tournament for sure,” said Williams after the match. “I knew it had to be going up against the No. 2 in the world. I had to be better, and I was, so I’m excited.”

Williams will play Naomi Osaka on Thursday for a place in the finals.

Djokovic, on the other hand, scored a win against the No. 6-ranked Alexander Zverev.

Despite losing the first set in the tiebreaker, the Serbian kept his composure and went on to produce a dominant performance in the next two sets and get ahead with 6-2 and 6-4 wins.

Zverev came close to taking the match to five sets but couldn’t capitalize on a 3-0 lead in the fourth. Djokovic found a way back and took the set in the tiebreaker, where he came out on the winning end.

Djokovic is now set to play this year’s sensation Aslan Karatsev in the semi-final bout.

The post Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic Advance to Australian Open Semis appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Novak Djokovic’s bid to win his third straight Australian Open is in serious jeopardy despite defeating Taylor Fritz on Friday to advance to the fourth round of the tournament.

Speaking with reporters after the match, Djokovic revealed that he has a muscle tear that might force him to retire from the event.

“I know it’s a tear, definitely, of the muscle. So I don’t know if I’ll manage to recover from that in less than two days,” said Djokovic. “I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know if I’m going to step out onto the court or not.”

Djokovic got a comfortable 7-6, 6-4 lead over Fritz to start the match, and it seemed like he was heading to another easy win. But the contest took an unexpected turn when the reigning Australian Open champ awkwardly slipped while attempting to change directions.

Djokovic had to take a medical timeout and was obviously not at 100 percent once he returned. Fritz used his opportunity and crawled his way back by winning the next two sets with 3-6, 4-6.

Still, when it mattered the most, Djokovic rallied and managed to hold off the 23-year-old American in the fifth.

“I am just very proud of this achievement tonight,” Djokovic added. “Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”

Novak Djokovic is set to play against the No. 14-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic in the fourth round on Sunday. Raonic has faced Djokovic 11 times before and never managed to defeat him.

The post Novak Djokovic Says He Has a “Muscle Tear” Ahead of Australian Open 4th Round appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Novak Djokovic mainly cruised through Australian Open 2020, he but found himself in trouble when it mattered the most. He was down 2-1 in the final of the tournament against Dominic Thiem, and it looked like the Serbian wouldn’t capitalize on his great run. Still, as many times before, Djokovic gathered his composure and delivered another impressive comeback to capture his eight career and second consecutive Australian Open title.

After winning the first set with ease, Djokovic struggled in the second and third set. His serve wasn’t there and he was visibly tired. Thiem used the opportunity to win both sets and get just one set away from winning his first career Grand Slam.

“I was on the brink of losing the match. Dominic … disrupted my rhythm in my game at one point. He was a better player,” said Djokovic. “Probably one point — and one shot — separated us tonight.”

After the third set, Djokovic took a break and had a consultation with his doctor and trainer. Then he returned to court, and everything changed. The 32-year-old looked revitalized and managed to mount a comeback, which saw him win the fourth set with 6-3 and then have an early break in the fifth to win it 6-4 and close out the match.

“It was anybody’s game, really. I knew that very early in the fifth set, it was crucial for me to make a break,” Djokovic said. “I had that mental edge again, and that was enough to win it.”

Novak Djokovic’s eight Australian Opens are an absolute record in men’s category, with the second most being six won by Roger Federer in Open Era and Roy Emerson in the Amateur Era. Djokovic also climbed to 17 career Grand Slams, with only Federer (20) and Rafael Nadal (19) having more.

The post Novak Djokovic Defends His Australian Open Title appeared first on SportzBonanza.