Alex de Minaur vs Novak Djokovic result, highlights as Serbian fourth seed breezes past local in Australian Open

Aidan Cellini

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Alex de Minaur vs Novak Djokovic result, highlights as Serbian fourth seed breezes past local in Australian Open image

Novak Djokovic's attempt to secure a 22nd Grand Slam was made easier when he breezed through Australian Alex de Minaur 6-2 6-1 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena on Monday night.

Djokovic was devastating against the Aussie, putting together a faultless performance despite having an injury cloud over him since the start of the Australian Open.

MORE: Australian Open prize money 2023: How much will the players earn?

The total match went for two hours and six minutes, with the 35-year-old racing to the final eight.

Unfortunately for local fans, de Minaur was unable to rise to the occasion, failing to get the game on his terms at any point of the night.

This was reflected by no break point opportunities for the 23-year-old, whilst facing 12 coming the other way.

Djokovic now sets up a mouth-watering top five seed clash with [5] Andrey Rublev, who narrowly beat ninth seeded Holger Rune in five sets earlier on Monday.

The 35-year-old said post-game that he's weary of Rublev's talent and what he could bring to their match on Wednesday.

"Incredible firepower, especially from the serve & forehand corner, just a very explosive hitter. A little bit like de Minaur," Djokovic said.

"I mean ... I suppose he's a *little* bit like de Minaur? In that they're both human men who play tennis."

The Sporting News provides live score updates, highlights and commentary for the match below.

Alex de Minaur vs Novak Djokovic final score

  1st set 2nd set 3rd set
[22] Alex de Minaur (AUS) 2 1 2
[4] Novak Djokovic (SRB) 6 6 6

Alex de Minaur vs Novak Djokovic live blog, updates, highlights

Third set, Djokovic serve, Djokovic 6-2 de Minaur

  • 0-15: A deep return from de Minaur squeezes Djokovic up on the baseline, causing a mistake.
  • 15-15: Ace. Coming as a second serve, the Serb hits his fourth ace for the night.
  • 30-15: Cool, calm and collected. Djokovic has an answer for anything the Aussie has thrown at him. Easy volley to inch closer to victory.
  • 40-15: Deja vu. Djokovic wins himself two match points with another easy volley.
  • Game, set, match Djokovic. Big first serve brings up a seamless victory for the champion. He moves on into the quarters with a full head of steam.
  • Djokovic wins 6-2 6-1 6-2 in two hours and six minutes.

Third set, de Minaur serve, Djokovic 5-2 de Minaur

  • 0-15: Djokovic hasn't hit the ball this well all tournament as it's the opposite fact for his opponent. Missed a very gettable forehand.
  • 15-15: That's more like it. De Minaur with an excellent passing forehand, beating the Serb's racquet.
  • 30-15: Another kick-serve from the 'Demon' causing havoc for Djokovic. 
  • 30-30: Double fault. Frustrated and out of ideas. The Aussie looks to be caught in two minds.
  • 30-40: Excellent ground strokes and net play gives Djokovic a match-point, under two hours of play.
  • 40-40: Ace. De Minaur comes up clutch, serving his third ace of the evening.
  • Adv de Minaur: Big first serve gives the Aussie game point, surviving a scare.
  • 40-40: Missed opportunity from the 23-year-old. Played the point perfectly and had the chance to hold serve but hit the tape of the net.
  • Adv de Minaur: Big first serve coming up trump again. Where has this been?
  • Game: A mistake on the backhand of Djokovic gives de Minaur the game. The champ now has a chance to close out the match.

Third set, Djokovic serve, Djokovic 5-1 de Minaur

  • 15-0: Too good. Djokovic is sending a message to the rest of the tournament. Forehand winner cross-court.
  • 30-0: Reaching for a drop-shot, de Minaur finds the net.
  • 40-0: Another dominating performance, forcing the Aussie to chase all over the canvas.
  • 40-15: Double fault. Trying to close out the service game, Djokovic tried to hit the tee but just missed.
  • 40-30: A rare error from the 'Joker', hitting his backhand long.
  • Game: Djokovic wanting to finish this off quickly. De Minaur struggling to keep the ball in play against the champ.

Third set, de Minaur serve, Djokovic 4-1 de Minaur

  • 0-15: De Minaur's attempted lob goes past the baseline.
  • 0-30: The crowd goes 'ahh' as Djokovic smokes it down the line, returning a second serve.
  • 15-30: The Serb rushes the net and nearly pulls off the drop-shot of the tournament, but unfortunately finds the ball on his side of the tape.
  • 30-30: An unusual mistake from the 35-year-old, miscalculating his forehand and goes long.
  • 40-30: Djokovic just missing the baseline, with the 'close call' showing it was centimetres away.
  • 40-40: De Minaur showing signs of not being up to challenging the leaders of the pack on the big stage yet. Unable to navigate through the pace and power of the Serb.
  • Adv de Minaur: Big first serve sets up game point.
  • Game: De Minaur holds serve and gets his third set underway.

Third set, Djokovic serve, Djokovic 4-0 de Minaur

  • 15-0: Too good. Djokovic really hitting his strides now as he nears the final eight. Forehand winner down-the-line. Wow.
  • 15-15: Double fault. First one for the Serb tonight and the only blemish on a near-perfect game.
  • 15-30: Double fault again. Have we ever seen that from Djokovic?
  • 30-30: De Minaur mistake squares things up. Unable to capitalise on any advantage, regardless how small.
  • 40-30: The pressure and stakes looks like it has gotten to the Aussie. Another error alleviates the pressure for the 'Joker'.
  • Game: Clinical. Manipulating de Minaur to vulnerable spots on the court. A dominating performance thus far.

Third set, de Minaur serve, Djokovic 3-0 de Minaur

  • 15-0: Big first serve causes Djokovic shot to go long.
  • 15-15: Another miss from Alex. Struggling to keep up with the 21-time Grand Slam winner.
  • 30-15: A comedic back-and-forth slice rally had the crowd in stitches, before the locals cheered after a Djokovic error went past the baseline.
  • 40-15: Great hustle from de Minaur, keeping himself in the point until an unexecuted lob from the Serb was put away.
  • 40-30: A positive point from the Aussie but failed to beat the net, with a forehand down-the-line missing.
  • 40-40: Djokovic backhand winner. Textbook. Can't do much about it.
  • Adv Djokovic: Despite the support from the crowd, de Minaur finds himself in another vulnerable position. The Serb worked around the Aussie until a mistake was made.
  • Game: Head down for de Minaur and a double break for Djokovic. 

Third set, Djokovic serve, Djokovic 2-0 de Minaur

  • 0-15: The crowd is trying to get behind de Minaur after multiple smashes results in a point won.
  • 0-30: Mini-break for the 'Demon', following an errant forehand by Djokovic. Will need to capitalise if he is to stay in the match.
  • 15-30: The Serb responds as a return slice from the Aussie goes long.
  • 30-30: And just like that, all things squared up. Devastating serve down the tee from Djokovic.
  • 40-30: The other night he was on. It seems tonight, the 'Demon' can't bring his ferocity to the court. Another miss.
  • 40-40: Boom. Strong open-faced forehand causes an error. De Minaur still showing fight.
  • Adv Djokovic: For a moment, the Aussie had the champ, but in true Djokovic fashion, he managed to stay in the point until his opponent made a mistake.
  • Game: Strong hold from the 35-year-old. Was challenged initially but solidified the break.

Third set, de Minaur serve, Djokovic 1-0 de Minaur

  • 15-0: Djokovic error following a second serve. De Minaur's kick serves have caused the champ a bit of grief so far.
  • 15-15: Wayward stroke from the Aussie. Goes out.
  • 15-30: A stunned de Minaur watches another forehand go by, with the Serb catching the baseline, just.
  • 15-40: Early break opportunities for the 'Joker'. De Minaur got caught on his backhand, hitting it long.
  • Game: Djokovic takes advantage of another break point chance. De Minaur dropping his head. Nothing is going right for the Aussie.

Second set, Djokovic serve, Djokovic 6-1 de Minaur

  • 15-0: Positive start from Djokovic, attempting to close out the second set. De Minaur failing to keep the ball in.
  • 30-0: Clinical. A Djokovic backhand down-the-line catches the line, leaving the Aussie stunned.
  • 30-15: De Minaur responds with a backhand of his own, bypassing the Serb's rush to the net.
  • 40-15: Djokovic proving to be too much to handle for the local. Manipulating the court with relative ease. A total of 58 points won to 36.
  • Game, set Djokovic. A first serve sets up an easy back-hand cross court. The champ wins the set in 40 minutes.
  • Djokovic with 16 winners to de Minaur's five.

Second set, de Minaur serve, Djokovic 5-1 de Minaur

  • 15-0: A rare miss from the 'Joker' starts de Minaur's service game off in a positive manner.
  • 30-0: Big first serve up the tee forcing another error from the Serb.
  • 30-15: An excellent service return from Djokovic, right at the feet of de Minaur.
  • 40-15: First sign of frustration from the 35-year-old. Missed an easy forehand that went long.
  • Game: Ace: 199km/h up the middle.

Second set, Djokovic serve, Djokovic 5-0 de Minaur

  • 0-15: Calls from the crowd not disrupting the players, but a Djokovic forehand hits the tape and goes wide.
  • 15-15: The Serb responds. De Minaur guesses wrong. Cross-court forehand into a winner.
  • 30-15: Djokovic in full command of this match, playing faultless tennis.
  • 40-15: The Serb's first serves have rarely missed, setting up a smash at the net.
  • Game: Another big first serve results in a ninth straight game for the champ.

Second set, de Minaur serve, Djokovic 4-0 de Minaur

  • 0-15: Began this service game like the previous one ended. These players putting on a show for the fans. However, Djokovic gets it.
  • 0-30: De Minaur struggling to go with the Serb, unable to match him with placement and pace, catching the net once again.
  • 15-30: Strong first serve forces an error. The Aussie trying to get himself up-and-about.
  • 15-40: Two break points on offer for Djokovic. The champion is well and truly on top here. De Minaur is finding it hard to hit the right areas of the court.
  • 30-40: The champ attempts to step into the first serve but finds his forehand going long.
  • 40-40: Great fightback from the local. Taking advantage of some Djokovic mistakes.
  • Adv Djokovic: A bit too much heat from the 'Demon' and offering up another break point opportunity to his opponent.
  • 40-40: Responds well with a 200km/h serve right at the body.
  • Adv de Minaur: Excellent serve, followed up by a forehand winner. Showing plenty of mental strength to get himself out of the deep hole he was in.
  • 40-40: The Aussie finds the net.
  • Adv Djokovic: A well-weighted lob does enough to force an error from de Minaur.
  • 40-40: The 23-year-old doing everything in his power to avoid facing a double break down. Trying to stay positive.
  • Adv Djokovic: Too good. Djokovic's return winner hits the line. Another break point.
  • Game: There's the double break. De Minaur finds the net again. His backhand doesn't seem to be working as good as previous matches.

Second set, Djokovic serve, Djokovic 3-0 de Minaur

  • 0-15: What a rally. Both players not budging but a slight backhand miss from the 'Joker' results in a point lost.
  • 15-15: De Minaur catching the net, hitting his forehand off the back-foot.
  • 30-15: Strong first serve hits the frame of the Aussie.
  • 40-15: What injury? Djokovic looks primed for another assault on the Australian Open, rarely missing his opportunity to strike this evening.
  • 40-30: Strange point which resulted in a missed smash from the Serb, with de Minaur hanging on here.
  • Game: Faultless from both players but cream does rise to the top. Djokovic showing what it takes.

Second set, de Minaur serve, Djokovic 2-0 de Minaur

  • 15-0: A cross-court battle ends in a rare error from the champion, catching the net.
  • 15-15: De Minaur sprays a forehand, hitting the frame on the way through.
  • 30-15: A kick-serve does enough to throw Djokovic off, hitting a return backhand long.
  • 30-30: A fortunate return from the Serb catches the baseline, setting up a smash from the net.
  • 30-40: Another break chance for Djokovic, with de Minaur missing the mark again.
  • 40-40: 191km/h serve out wide squares it back up. The crowd right behind the Aussie.
  • Adv Djokovic: Arguably the closest call this tournament, the Aussie's backhand missed it by that much.
  • Game: The Serb is working de Minaur around a little too easily. Breaks early in the second.

Second set, Djokovic serve, Djokovic 1-0 de Minaur

  • 15-0: Wide first serve forces de Minaur shot well past the baseline.
  • 30-0: Errant backhand cross court from the Aussie goes wide, but not by much.
  • 40-0: 170km/h wide serve would be hard to get back if you're anyone.
  • 40-15: The 23-year-old responds with a cross-court backhand winner from a 200km/h first serve.
  • 40-30: De Minaur's ball caught the baseline, catching Djokovic off-guard and forcing a forehand to go long.
  • Game: The Aussie just looks to be a bit off, missing an easy backhand slice.

First set, de Minaur serve, Djokovic 6-2 de Minaur

  • 15-0: The 'Demon' is trying to get himself back into this first set, as a rare Djokovic error wins him the first point.
  • 15-15: A classic down-the-line backhand from the Serb just shows who's boss.
  • 30-15: A wide first serve does enough to win de Minaur the point.
  • 30-30: The 35-year-old steps into the youngsters second serve with a deep backhand, squaring things up.
  • 30-40: Great hustle from the champ opens up a set point.
  • Game, set Djokovic: The champ wins another one of the local's service games, proving to be no match for the Aussie. Djokovic has an answer to everything at this point, winning the first set in 35 minutes.

First set, Djokovic serve, Djokovic 5-2 de Minaur

  • 15-0: Djokovic putting de Minaur on the back-foot and a sweet forehand winner to open his service game.
  • 30-0: The Serb is really on tonight, adding another forehand winner to the tally.
  • 40-0: De Minaur caught hitting the ball that skimmed off the baseline and failing to return it over the net.
  • Game: Djokovic holds easily with a big second serve.

First set, de Minaur serve, Djokovic 4-2 de Minaur

  • 0-15: Djokovic's game starting to pick up, forcing an error from his opponent.
  • 0-30: The Serb running the local around the court until a missed opportunity and a forehand that goes long.
  • 0-40: First look at break points for the evening. De Minaur failed to keep his backhand down. Work to do.
  • Game: Djokovic gets the early break, putting pressure on the youngster.

First set, Djokovic serve, Djokovic 3-2 de Minaur

  • 15-0: Djokovic follows up strong first serve with forehand winner.
  • 30-0: Ace up the tee. Can't do much about that.
  • 30-15: De Minaur catches the Serb off-guard and pushes the forehand down the line, forcing a shot to go wide.
  • 30-30: A forehand from Djokovic goes long as the crowd attempts to rile up the Aussie.
  • 40-30: Big first serve puts the 'Joker' back in the drivers seat.
  • Game: Another big serve and the favourite holds.

First set, de Minaur serve, Djokovic 2-2 de Minaur

  • 0-15: Double fault from the 'Demon'
  • 15-15: Djokovic forehand goes wide, failing to curl back in.
  • 30-15: De Minaur rushed to the net, forcing a lob to go long from the Serb.
  • 30-30: A deep backhand from the 35-year-old forces an errant forehand from the Aussie into the net.
  • 40-30: Djokovic just misses a forehand down the line. A few ooo's and ahh's. Close call.
  • 40-40: A squeezed de Minaur backhand finds the net. First deuce of the match.
  • Adv de Minaur: A forehand from Djokovic misses, going past the baseline.
  • 40-40: Great rally. Back and forth across court on the forehand side, with the champion prevailing.
  • Adv de Minaur: Nearly catching the line, Djokovic overhits his forehand long.
  • Game: The Aussie with an impressive forehand down the line on the up, snicking the Serb's racquet and going out.

First set, Djokovic serve, Djokovic 2-1 de Minaur

  • 15-0: The Aussie goes long after a wide second serve from Djokovic.
  • 15-15: Good hustle from de Minaur to keep point alive as the 9-time Australian Open champion hits it into the net.
  • 30-15: The Serb returns with a backhand winner across court.
  • 40-15: Another backhand winner, only this time down the line from Djokovic.
  • 40-30: The 35-year-old got cramped and sprayed a backhand wide.
  • Game: Djokovic holds serve following a de Minaur shot gone long.

First set, de Minaur serve, Djokovic 1-1 de Minaur

  • 15-0: De Minaur with a strong first serve, Djokovic going long.
  • 30-0: A kick second-serve from the Aussie forces another error.
  • 40-0: First serve from the youngster wins him another point.
  • Game: An ace to finish off a strong service game.

First set - Djokovic serve, Djokovic 1-0 de Minaur

  • 15-0: A lengthy opening rally with a de Minaur slice catching the wrong side of the net.
  • 30-0: Strong first serve from Djokovic, forcing an error.
  • 40-0: Ace from the Serb.
  • 40-15: The Aussie steps into the second serve with a deep backhand at his opponent, winning his first point of the night.
  • Game: Ace from Djokovic.

7:29pm AEDT: Or will Djokovic continue on his merry-way as he searches for his 10th Australian Open title?

7:28 AEDT: Will De Minaur's coming age party begin tonight against arguably the best there is?

7:25pm AEDT: The players are on the court, with the coin toss about to happen.

7pm AEDT: Following a thrilling finish between Andrey Rublev and Holger Rune, the match between de Minaur and Djokovic will start slightly later than anticipated.

Pre-match: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the Australian Open fourth round match between Alex de Minaur and Novak Djokovic from Rod Laver Arena.

Alex de Minaur vs Novak Djokovic head-to-head results

De Minaur and Djokovic have not faced each other, with the fourth round at the Australian Open 2023 being their first ever match up.

MORE: Australian Open schedule 2023: Full draws, TV coverage, channels & how to watch every tennis match

What time is Alex de Minaur vs Novak Djokovic?

Times are approximate - subject to weather conditions and completion of prior matches.

  UK USA Canada Australia
Date Monday, January 22 Monday, January 22 Monday, January 22 Monday, January 22
Time 8am BST 3am ET 3am ET 7pm AEDT

How to watch Alex de Minaur vs Novak Djokovic in the fourth round of the Australian Open

  UK USA Canada Australia
TV channel Eurosport 1 or 2 ESPN/ESPN2 TSN1/TSN5 Channel 9
Streaming eurosport.uk ESPN+ and fuboTV TSN+ 9Now/Stan Sport

Australia: The Nine Network is the free-to-air broadcaster of the Australian Open 2023.

The Australian Open can also be watched on SmartTV's 9Now and Stan Sport as well as 9Gem.

Fans can also stream the Australian Open through 9Now and Stan Sport.

UK: Coverage of the Australian Open 2023 will be broadcast in the UK live and exclusively on Eurosport.

Eurosport 1 and 2 will provide daily coverage of the action in Melbourne.

UK fans can also stream the Australian Open through the discovery+ app, the Eurosport app, or through eurosport.co.uk

USA: Tennis fans based in the United States will be able to watch this year's Australian Open via ESPN. Matches will be broadcast on both ESPN and ESPN2.

ESPN+ and fuboTV will both offer live streaming during the 2023 Australian Open. FuboTV offers a free trial.

Canada: The 2023 Australian Open will be broadcast in Canada by TSN.

Matches will be shown on either TSN1 or TSN5.

Canadian fans are able to live stream the action from Melbourne Park on TSN+.

The full TSN+ broadcast schedule can be accessed here.  

Aidan Cellini

Aidan Cellini Photo

Aidan has surrounded himself with all types of sport, but resonates most with AFL and basketball as he still plays both competitively. He loves being active and enjoys sharing sporting moments with friends and family.

In his spare time, Aidan likes to read biographies as well as keep active and healthy. He's also a big fan of Matthew McConaughey and Marvel movies.