Novak Djokovic Dominates Down Under: A Masterclass Against Mannarino in the Australian Open Fourth Round🎾

The 2024 Australian Open has been a stage for both stunning upsets and displays of pure dominance. One such instance of the latter unfolded in the fourth round, where nine-time champion Novak Djokovic delivered a masterclass against Adrian Mannarino, dispatching the Frenchman with a clinical 6-0, 6-0, 6-3 victory. From the very first point, it was evident that Djokovic was in a zone. His precision was pinpoint, his groundstrokes finding their targets with laser-like accuracy.

Mannarino, ranked 20th in the world, struggled to cope with the onslaught. Djokovic’s serve was untouchable, barely giving Mannarino a look-in on his return games. The opening two sets were a blur, a tennis clinic where Djokovic showcased the full repertoire of his skills.

The third set offered a brief glimmer of hope for Mannarino. He managed to hold serve more consistently and even threatened Djokovic’s break point at 3-3. But Novak Djokovic, the master of mental fortitude, snuffed out the danger with a flurry of winners. He then broke Mannarino’s serve at 5-3, sealing the match and his place in the quarter-finals.

Novak Djokovic’s performance was a stark reminder of why he is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time. His movement was effortless, his anticipation uncanny, and his shot selection impeccable. This was a performance that sent shivers down the spines of his remaining opponents, a declaration that he is firmly on course for a record-extending 10th Australian Open title.

Key Takeaways from Novak Djokovic’s Masterclass🎾:

Impeccable Serve: Novak Djokovic’s serve was on fire throughout the match. He barely faced a break point and landed his first serves with metronomic accuracy. Novak Djokovic’s serve is not about overwhelming speed; it’s about pinpoint placement and subtle variations. He consistently lands his first serves in the corners, challenging his opponents to make perfect returns. His ability to slice and kick his serves, altering their trajectory and bounce, keeps his opponents guessing and off-balance.

In the match against Mannarino, he won a staggering 85% of his first serve points, facing only a single break point throughout the entire match. This unwavering accuracy and variety made his serve virtually impenetrable.

Relentless Aggression: Novak Djokovic never let Mannarino settle into a rhythm. He constantly attacked with powerful groundstrokes and kept the pressure on from the baseline. In the fourth round against Mannarino, Novak Djokovic wasn’t just winning points; he was demolishing them. His unrelenting aggression from the baseline was a masterclass in controlled power. It wasn’t just about hitting hard; it was about hitting smart, with every shot designed to maximize pressure and shrink the court for his opponent.

Brutal Precision: Novak Djokovic’s groundstrokes were laser-guided missiles, finding their mark with unerring accuracy. His forehand, a weapon of brutal precision, ripped through Mannarino’s backhand with surgical efficiency. His crosscourt backhand, normally known for its defensive prowess, was transformed into an offensive weapon, slicing through the court and leaving Mannarino scrambling.

Dictating the Rhythm: Novak Djokovic never let Mannarino breathe. He constantly attacked, dictating the rhythm of the rallies with his aggressive shot selection. He wouldn’t wait for openings; he created them. He stepped inside the baseline, forcing Mannarino to defend on his back foot. He mixed up his pace and spin, keeping Mannarino off balance and unable to anticipate his next move.

Net Domination🎾: When the opportunity arose, Djokovic didn’t hesitate to charge towards the net. His volleys were crisp and clinical, often leaving Mannarino flat-footed and helpless. He wasn’t just winning points at the net; he was making statements, asserting his dominance and control over the match.

Mental Toughness: When Mannarino threatened a comeback in the third set, Novak Djokovic showed his mental fortitude by holding his nerve and closing out the match convincingly. Even facing a brief flicker of hope from Mannarino in the third set, Djokovic displayed the true hallmark of a champion: impenetrable mental toughness. As Mannarino threatened a break at 3-3, a lesser player might crumble under the pressure.

But Novak Djokovic, the seasoned warrior, remained an unbreachable fortress. He dug deep, summoning years of experience and unwavering belief. A flurry of winners later, Mannarino’s hopes lay shattered, and Djokovic marched on with renewed conviction.

This wasn’t just about surviving a tense moment; it was a showcase of mental mastery, a defiant message to his opponents that even a glimmer of weakness wouldn’t be enough to break his steely resolve. Novak Djokovic’s unwavering focus and ability to rise above adversity solidified his dominance and sent a chilling message to the rest of the tournament: his path to another Australian Open title is paved with ice-cold mental fortitude.

Even at 6-0, 2-0 up, Djokovic fought tooth and nail not to drop a game to the Frenchman, fist-pumping feverishly after saving break point, then celebrating almost as if he’d won the title after holding for a 3-0 advantage. It was bizarre behaviour, to say the least, but emphasised the world No 1’s insatiable appetite to gobble up Margaret Court’s record and capture an unprecedented 25th grand slam singles crown next Sunday.

Despite the crushing win, it wasn’t all smooth going for Djokovic, who coughed and spluttered throughout. The 24-time major winner said he’d been ill during the first week, but Rod Laver – the legend whose name is on the centre-court arena that Djokovic has made his own – on Saturday posed the question: “Is he having us on?” Djokovic had looked vulnerable in unconvincing wins over Dino Prizmic and Alexei Popyrin before raising his game in a straight-sets third-round disposal of 30th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

But he made a point of reminding his rivals that he planned on stepping up his level even further during the second week. He now has a last-eight date for Tuesday with either seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek he beat in last year’s final, or American world No 12 Taylor Fritz.

Later on Sunday De Minaur, who has entered his home grand slam in career-best form, will relish the opportunity to play in front of a huge crowd on the show court. “I would love to play on RLA,” the 24-year-old said before the Sunday schedule was confirmed. “That prime-time slot is pretty special, and you’ve got to earn it. But ultimately it doesn’t really matter when I play; whether I play first match, whether I play last. Whether I play on RLA or court 27, I’m still going to be the same.”