Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka were in ominous form ahead of the Australian Open as both reached the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International on Thursday. On a day when rising stars Mirra Andreeva and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricar highlighted their potential, Djokovic overtook fellow veteran Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-3 in 72 minutes. In the women’s draw, world number one Sabalenka, who is aiming to win the Australian Open for the third time in a row, beat Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.
Djokovic and Monfils played an entertaining match but the 37-year-old Serb was always in control as he recorded his 20th straight win over the Frenchman.
Former world number one Djokovic will play giant American Reilly Opelka in the quarterfinals.
“We’ve been playing for a long time, I’ve known Gael since he was 15 and he since he was 16,” said Djokovic, who is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title when the Australian Open begins on January 12.
“I’ve had good results against him over the years, but we’ve had some incredible battles on different surfaces.
“Hopefully we can play a little more before we both retire.”
Russian Andreeva, 17, crushed Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-0 in the women’s draw, while Mpetshi Perrikar beat fourth-seeded American Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) to reach the quarter-finals. .
A year after losing to the same player in the season opener, Andreeva showed her improvement from 2024 by beating Czech Noskova in 63 minutes.
The teenager’s next opponent will be Ons Jabeur from Tunisia.
“Last year she (Noskova) almost killed me in the quarterfinals, so I thought it was time to take revenge,” Andreeva said.
The Russian started the year ranked 16th in the world and many believe he will compete for a Grand Slam title in 2025.
“My number one goal for the 2025 season is to be in the top 10,” said Andreeva, who is coached by former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez.
Tall 21-year-old Mpetshi Perrikar, who defeated Australian Nick Kyrgios in a spectacular first-round clash, was again superb in defeating US Open semi-finalist Tiafoe.
After serving 36 aces in a three-set win over Kyrgios, the Frenchman served 20 more aces against the more experienced Tiafoe.
Mpetshi Perrikar plays 19-year-old Czech Jakub Mensik.
“It was a good match, Francis was not easy to play against,” said Mpetshi Perrikar.
“The first set was a very tight serve, but I was able to put some pressure on his second serve and it worked.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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