DAY 6 MEN: Djokovic advances; Zverev, Alcaraz zoom into fourth round

A fired-up Novak Djokovic powered into the last 16 of the Australian Open on Friday in an ominous reminder of why he is a 10-time Melbourne champion, but he needed a medical break and used an inhaler.

The 37-year-old dropped a set in each of his opening two matches in Melbourne but was on a mission against dangerous Czech 26th seed Tomas Machac.

Dispelling doubts that he still has what it takes in his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam crown, the Serb blew the 24-year-old off Rod Laver Arena 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 in 2hrs 22mins.

The win propelled him into the last 16 at a Grand Slam for the 66th time, just three behind all-time leader Roger Federer and well clear of third-placed Rafael Nadal (54).

Another Czech, Jiri Lehecka, awaits him after he beat France's Benjamin Bonzi in three sets.

Should Djokovic get through that match, Carlos Alcaraz is shaping as his likely quarterfinal opponent.

"I think I played really well, honestly. Very happy with my game," said the seventh seed.

"I was slightly surprised to be honest with the result, to beat him in straight sets. He was a break up in the second, I struggled physically there but somehow managed to turn things around.

"Overall, in the third I felt fresh and moved well and very pleased with my game.

"There's always something to improve, work on, but this is definitely the best match I've played in the tournament."

With new coach Andy Murray again courtside offering encouragement, Djokovic started with a steely look in his eye.

It went with serve until he sniffed an opening in game four, coming to the net to earn two break points, converting on the second to move 3-1 clear.

It sparked a flurry from the veteran, who kept the pressure on to claim the next three games and the set.

After being broken on his first serve in the second set, Djokovic quickly broke back but then needed medical treatment on court while leading 2-1.

The Serb used an inhaler before resuming play, when he broke again for 3-2, then kept his focus to move two sets ahead, giving a fist pump and exalting loudly to the crowd.

"I was trying to catch my breath," he explained. "I'm not 19 anymore. More like 19 times two, almost."

He left the court between sets and when he returned a Machac double fault set him on his way to a 2-0 lead and ultimately a convincing win.

Beaten in the Melbourne semifinals in 2024 by eventual champion Jannik Sinner, Djokovic failed to collect a major last year for the first time since 2017.

Order of Play | Watch Live on DStv

ZVEREV PROGRESSES INTO FORTH ROUND

The 27-year-old German put his foot to the floor on Margaret Court Arena to sweep past his 92nd-ranked opponent 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in 2hrs 2mins.

His reward is a clash against the winner of an all-French showdown between Ugo Humbert and Arthur Fils for a place in the quarterfinals.

Victory was Zverev's 28th Australian Open win, putting him just one behind Boris Becker for the most by a German player.

He paid tribute to 23-year-old Fearnley, who is at only his second Grand Slam.

"He's an incredible player," said Zverev, who is pursuing a maiden major crown after a decade of trying.

"He went through all the stages, he went to college, through the Challenger (series) and now he's on the big tour playing third round at a Grand Slam.

"So massive respect for him. He's only getting better."

Zverev is looking to improve on the semifinal he made last year and has been methodical all tournament, yet to drop a set.

He made his first move in game six. A Fearnley double fault gave him an opening and after an eight-stroke rally he enticed an error that earned him the break, which proved enough to win the set.

They exchanged early breaks in set two before another double fault from the Briton once more let Zverev in and a poorly executed backhand at the net ensured the German moved into an unstoppable 5-4 lead.

Zverev again uncharacteristically gave up an early break in the third set but quickly reset to put pressure on Fearnley's serve and move 4-2 clear before motoring to the finish line.

Zverev enjoyed one of his best seasons last year, but runner-up finishes at the 2020 US Open and French Open last year remain his best Grand Slams so far.

KANGAROO TATTOO FOR ALCARAZ

Carlos Alcaraz plans to get a kangaroo tattoo should he win the Australian Open for the first.

The 21-year-old third seed dropped a set but was a class above Portugal's Nuno Borges on Rod Laver Arena, dumping him out 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2.

It was the Spaniard's first time on centre court this year after being shunted to neighbouring Margaret Court Arena for his opening two matches.

With the sun shining, he revelled in the atmosphere, rattling off 54 winners and nine aces, dominating from the baseline.

"The last time I played here I lost, I really wanted to play here and get another win on Rod Laver," said Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam winner who is gunning for a first title in Australia.

"It's a privilege to feel the love here in Australia. I'm trying to play different tennis, that's what makes me enjoy playing tennis, what makes me smile on court.

"And to entertain the people as well, making them happy."

He will face either Briton Jack Draper or Australia's Aleksandar Vukic next.

Alcaraz is bidding to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam – winning all four majors – in the Open Era.

His compatriot Rafael Nadal did it in 2010 aged 24.

Should he achieve the feat, he will also rewrite the record books as the youngest champion at Melbourne Park since Novak Djokovic in 2008.

To do so he will likely have to beat the Serbian star, who he is seeded to meet in a blockbuster quarterfinal.

Alcaraz, who is sporting a new buzz cut in Melbourne, already has eyes on the trophy and vowed to get a kangaroo tattoo if he goes all the way.

"It's a kangaroo, that's for sure. That's my idea," he said.

"The only thing I miss is to lift the trophy here, but the plan (for a tattoo) is already taken."

When Alcaraz won the US Open he got inked with the date of his achievement and followed up by getting tattoos of the Eiffel Tower and a strawberry when he won the French Open and Wimbledon.

FIRED-UP

Alcaraz started strongly against Borges, earning an immediate break with the Portuguese player netting a backhand under pressure.

Borges, who won a maiden ATP title last season, beating the now-retired Nadal, had no answer to Alcaraz's powerful groundstrokes and was broken again in game seven on his way to losing the set.

The 27-year-old gamely clung on in the second set to 4-4 when the Spanish star slammed a forehand winner for the break and served out with his fifth ace of the day to snare a two-set lead.

Borges was on the defence in set three, fighting off two break points from Alcaraz in an enthralling 16-point seventh game to keep the set on serve.

Borges refused to lie down and it went to a tie break where he stunned the world No 3 by winning it emphatically.

Alcaraz was riled up and after holding serve to love to open the fourth set, he produced a magical forehand winner for a break and sprinted to the finish.

END OF THE ROAD FOR GIANT KILLER MENSIK

Giant-killing Jakub Mensik's Australian Open ended at the hands of Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina as the 19-year-old Czech crashed out in five gruelling sets.

Mensik stunned sixth seed Casper Ruud en route to the third round and looked on track for another win when he took a two-set lead in Melbourne.

He had a match point in the third-set tie break but failed to convert and the more experienced Davidovich Fokina ground his way back as Mensik ran out of puff.

The 66th-ranked Spaniard eventually got over the line 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4, 6-2 after a draining 3hrs 30mins.

It set him up with a clash against 12th seed Tommy Paul for a place in the quarterfinals after the American downed another Spaniard, Roberto Carballes Baena, in straight sets.

"Wow, I don't know how to describe my feelings," said Davidovich Fokina, who made the fourth round for the first time.

"Three wins for the first time in Australia, it means a lot."

Mensik is one of a trio of teens who set the Australian Open alight with wins over top-10 players, alongside Brazil's Joao Fonseca and American Learner Tien.

While Mensik and the highly rated Fonseca are now out, Tien is still alive after a massive five-set upset of fifth seed Daniil Medvedev.

He plays his third-round match against Frenchman Corentin Moutet on Saturday.