Australian Open 2024: Novak Djokovic to face Taylor Fritz in quarter-finals on Tuesday

Novak Djokovic says his form at the Australian Open is “going in the right direction” as he bids for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.

Djokovic, 36, is aiming to move ahead of Margaret Court’s total of 24 successes and is in the quarter-finals.

On Tuesday, he plays American 12th seed Taylor Fritz, who has lost all of his eight previous matches with the Serb.

“It’s going in a positive direction health wise, tennis wise, so I’m really happy,” said Djokovic.

Having started the tournament battling illness and surviving two long matches, he thrashed France’s Adrian Mannarino 6-0 6-0 6-3 in the last 16 to match Roger Federer’s record of reaching 58 Slam quarter-finals.

Fritz, 26, was beaten in five sets by Djokovic in the third round in Melbourne three years ago, despite the Serb suffering an abdominal injury mid-match.

“I have a lot more level to bring than I’ve previously brought against him,” said Fritz.

“The last three games [against 2023 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas], I really, really turned it on, almost like I was in a trance. It’s been a while since I’ve had that feeling, so it gives me a lot of confidence.”

In the last match on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday, two of the top five seeds meet as Italy’s Jannik Sinner, the fourth seed, plays fifth seed Andrey Rublev of Russia.

Sinner, 22, is yet to drop a set after a 6-4 7-5 6-3 victory over last year’s semi-finalist Karen Khachanov.

Meanwhile, 26-year-old Rublev ended hopes of a home winner for another year by defeating 10th seed Alex de Minaur.