Djokovic, Gauff and Sabalenka surge into quarters

MELBOURNE, Australia — Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff powered into the Australian Open quarterfinals on Sunday with ruthless straight-sets wins as world No 1 Novak Djokovic attempted to do the same against Adrian Mannarino.

Defending champion Sabalenka has been in imperious form in Melbourne and was again dominant against unseeded Amanda Anisimova in Margaret Court Arena, sweeping past the American 6-3, 6-2.

Fourth seed Gauff, attempting to become the first woman to back up a US Open title with a Grand Slam win in Australia since Naomi Osaka in 2018-19, has been almost as impressive.

She swatted aside Poland's unseeded Magdalena Frech 6-1, 6-2 in just 63 minutes at Rod Laver Arena, with the 85-year-old tennis legend watching from the stands.

"There is no better court in Australia than Rod Laver," said 19-year-old Gauff, who has never progressed beyond the fourth round at Melbourne Park in four previous attempts.

"Luckily, when I saw him come in I was already well up," Gauff said. "I heard clapping and knew it wasn't for us. It was an honor to play in front of you, so thank you for coming to my match."

With seven of the women's top 10 seeds knocked out in the first week, including world No 1 Iga Swiatek, both Gauff and Sabalenka have a glorious chance to win their second major title.

They are on the same side of the draw and will not meet in the final, with a potential last-four clash looming instead.

Sabalenka has dropped just 11 games in four matches and is favorite to win another title to go with her breakthrough Grand Slam crown last year.

Should she go all the way, the 25-year-old will be the first woman to retain the title since compatriot Victoria Azarenka completed the feat in 2013.

"I'm getting stronger because I enjoy the atmosphere and I really want to stay here as long as I can — until the very last day," she said.

Top seed Djokovic recaptured his top form to surge into the last eight on Sunday, and believes he will only get better as he chases an 11th Melbourne title.

"Coming into the tournament I haven't really felt great health-wise, physically, and also game-wise. It's all connected obviously," said the Serb, prior to his match against Frenchman Adrian Mannarino on Sunday.

"But, I'm in the fourth round. I believe that things will progress as the tournament goes on," he said.

He needn't have worried. Despite it being a rare daytime appearance at Rod Laver Arena for the world No 1, Djokovic was unperturbed as he dispatched his Gallic opponent in s ruthless 6-0, 6-0, 6-3 win, reaching the Australian Open quarterfinals and matching Roger Federer's all-time Grand Slam record.

The 10-time Australian Open champion hit 31 winners and raced to victory in one hour and 44 minutes to progress to the last eight for the 58th time at a major, equaling Federer's record.

Djokovic is into the Australian Open quarterfinals for the 14th time, which is equal second on the all-time list with Rafael Nadal and John Newcombe.

The difference is that he's converted most of those quarterfinal runs into titles at Melbourne Park.

"The first two sets were some of the best I've played in a while," said Djokovic, who is bidding for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles title. "I played great from the first to the last point."

He'll next face No 12 seed Taylor Fritz, who reached the Australian Open quarterfinals for the first time with a 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas, the runner-up here last year.

AFP