ATP Tour

Djokovic saves set points, reaches Australian Open R4 as Melbourne milestones mount

Novak Djokovic edged a step closer to a potential blockbuster semi-final clash with Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open on Saturday, ticking off a series of historic milestones along the way.

The record 10-time champion was made to work in in his 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) win over Botic van de Zandschulp, but showed supreme composure to book his place in the fourth round at Melbourne Park for the 18th time in 21 appearances. The victory marked Djokovic’s 400th match win at a major — the most by any player in the Open Era — and his 102nd at the Australian Open, drawing him level with Roger Federer’s all-time tournament record.

“It’s been a great start to the tournament,” Djokovic said when asked about his fitness. “But I’m not getting ahead of myself. I learned a lesson last year, I got too ahead of myself too early in some of the Grand Slams. I’m trying to give these young guys a push for their money. I’m still around. I’m hanging in there.”

Yet Another Milestone 👏@DjokerNole #AO26 pic.twitter.com/GG4rFEjdqI

— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 24, 2026

The No. 4 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Djokovic will next face Jakub Mensik or Ethan Quinn. Djokovic, who is yet to drop a set in Melbourne, is now just two wins away from a potential semi-final clash with two-time defending champion Sinner, who earlier overcame cramp to secure his own spot in the fourth round.

“Obviously Alcaraz and Sinner are the two best players in the world,” said Djokovic. “They’re playing at a different level than all of us right now, but when you enter the court and the ball rolls, you always have a chance, particularly here on the court that has given me the most in my career.”

Having lost to Van de Zandschulp at Indian Wells last year, Djokovic was aware of the need for a fast start, and he delivered it. He struck 12 winners to just seven unforced errors in the opening set and saved the only break point he faced, according to Infosys Stats.

Van de Zandschulp required a medical timeout to treat his right shoulder after falling behind 0-3 in the second set and briefly took advantage of a rare lapse in concentration from Djokovic. The fourth seed quickly wrestled back control, but he took a tumble in the third game of the third set and took a medical timeout of his own.

Although he dropped serve in the ensuing game, Djokovic battled back and saved two set points at 5-6 before eventually closing out a hard-fought win to improve to 2-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with the Dutchman after two hours, 44 minutes.