Novak Djokovic dropped sets against lesser-known opposition roughly half his age this week at Australian Open 2025, but surged on Friday evening against a more familiar foe who beat him the last time they squared off.
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The 10-time Melbourne champion overcame Tomas Machac 6-1 6-4 6-4 – and his own physical issues – to reach the fourth round at Melbourne Park for the 17th time, now only one behind Roger Federer.
He will meet another dangerous Czech, Jiri Lehecka, on Sunday as he continues his quest for both a record 25th Grand Slam title and 100th career title.
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“I’m very happy with my game,” Djokovic said on court afterwards. “I was slightly surprised by the result, to win in straight sets.
“There is always something to improve and work on, but this is definitely the best match I played in the tournament.”
Djokovic said after his second-round triumph over qualifier Jaime Faria that scouting would be a little simpler since he had met Machac previously.
His new, high-profile coach, Andy Murray, has been intensely studying.
Their game plan worked against the flashy Machac, whose forehand broke down more than once.
But Djokovic has his own weapons to trouble the No.26 seed, who downed the Serbian on clay as part of a 2024 campaign that saw him also upset Carlos Alcaraz and claim Olympic gold in mixed doubles with Katerina Siniakova. He beat Murray twice, too.
In a not unusual sight in Melbourne, Djokovic served brilliantly – especially from the middle of the second set onwards.
Before that, though, he called the trainer.
Djokovic tugged at his upper abdominal towards the end of the first set, though it wasn’t clear what the issue was. Later asked about it, Djokovic simply replied, “I’m not 19 anymore, I guess. You go through the different stages in the match.”
He has experienced physical discomfort previously at his beloved Rod Laver Arena and come through it – and he did it once more.
The match may have ended in straight sets, but it certainly didn’t lack for drama given Djokovic’s health issue – and lung-busting rallies that left the nearly 38-year-old hunched over.
One game, early in the first set, particularly stood out.
Machac authored a no-look forehand and forehand stretch when looking well out of a point, which ended with a Djokovic error on the 25th shot.
Machac cupped his ear, imploring the fans to respond.
On the next point, Djokovic did the same following a forehand passing shot. If that wasn’t enough, Djokovic blew a Machac lob attempt long, just to make sure.
The opening game of the second produced an exhausting 35-shot rally sealed by a Djokovic forehand winner, followed by a 19-shot duel. Machac hung on to hold.
Was it the start of a turnaround?
Machac duly broke, but with his serve not working to his liking, a 2-0 lead vanished and turned into a 3-2 Djokovic advantage.
Machac’s last real opportunity came in the final game of the set, with Djokovic having to save a break point.
He dragged Machac – in his customary backward cap and short shorts – all around the court to prompt a forehand long.
“He was a break up in the second, I struggled physically there,” said Djokovic, who tallied 80 per cent of his first-serve points.
“I somehow managed to turn things around. Hold my serve when I needed to. A couple of points decided that second set.
“It could have gone his way and maybe the outcome of the match could have been different. In the third, I felt fresh, moved really well.”
A seemingly crestfallen Machac conceded serve to begin the third. He swung even bigger in that third set, even attempting a leaping forehand close to the net that left onlookers gasping.
He sent it yards long, however.
Djokovic’s lone frustration came at not being able to deliver a knockout blow – a second break – but it allowed him to serve proceedings out, aided by a rocketed backhand down the line.