MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic’s hamstring just about held up as the hot favorite battled into the Australian Open last 16 on Saturday, but Andy Murray’s heroic run is over.
Hard-hitting Aryna Sabalenka, meanwhile, burnished her title credentials as she barreled through, along with several other women’s seeds.
An ailing Djokovic had heavy strapping and needed treatment twice on his troublesome left hamstring before defeating Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena.
The Serb will face home hope Alex de Minaur for a place in the quarterfinals as he closes on a 10th Melbourne Park crown and a record-equaling 22nd Grand Slam title. “Obviously, I didn’t know how I’m going to feel physically, it was going up and down,” said Djokovic. “It was an incredible battle, three sets over three hours.