Djokovic battles past Dimitrov to stay on course at Australian Open

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (L) shakes hands with Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov after their men’s singles match on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2023. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — – — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —

An ailing Novak Djokovic ground past Grigor Dimitrov on Saturday and into the last 16 as the nine-time Australian Open champion edged closer to a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title.

The Serbian fourth seed came through a titanic 77-minute first set before taming the Bulgarian 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena, needing treatment twice on his troublesome hamstring.

He will face home hope Alex de Minaur for a place in the quarter-finals after the 22nd seed equalled his best result at the tournament by breezing past Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi 7-6 (7/0), 6-2, 6-1.

Djokovic’s win not only inched him nearer to equalling Rafael Nadal’s 22-Slam record but also to a 10th title, which would see him return to world number one for the first time since June.

Victory put him into the last 16 for a 15th time, equalling Nadal in second place on the Open-era list for appearances in the Australian Open fourth round behind Roger Federer’s 18.

“Every point, every game mattered,” he said. “I think the turning point for both players was right from the blocks, very first game making an early break for me was important.

“Obviously, I didn’t know how I’m going to feel physically, it was going up and down.

“It was an incredible battle, three sets over three hours. Let’s rest up and prepare for the next one.”

Djokovic aggravated his hamstring during his run to a 92nd title at the Adelaide