Djokovic beats van de Zandschulp to make Australian Open fourth round

Melbourne: Novak ​Djokovic escaped the heat and doused Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3 6-4 7-6(4) at the Australian Open on Saturday ​to reach the fourth round and add another line ‌in the record book during his ⁠bid for a standalone ‌25th Grand Slam title.

With his 102nd match victory at Melbourne, the evergreen Serb equalled six-times champion Roger Federer's record at the year's first major and also became the first ​player to secure 400 wins at the Grand Slams.

Djokovic opened the evening session on a steamy day in which play continued under the main ‌showcourt roofs ‌and eased to a 5-3 lead before firing a sublime backhand crosscourt winner ⁠and celebrating with his arms out to mimic an airplane.

He endured minor turbulence following that point, but had no trouble taking full flight ⁠again as he broke in the opening ⁠game of the second set when a ‌deflated Van de Zandschulp fired his backhand ‌long.

Djokovic briefly lost his cool while up 4-2, striking a ball that flew close to a ball kid stationed near ‍the net. Though the Serb avoided a code violation, the incident triggered memories of his 2020 U.S. Open default for striking a line judge.

Up two sets, Djokovic had treatment for a blister on his foot after a tumble in the third and rallied from a break down before holding his ​nerve in the tiebreak ‌to set up a clash with either 16th seed Jakub Mensik or Ethan Quinn.