Melbourne (AP) - In his 50th Grand Slam round of 16, the Serbian tennis world ranking second Novak Djokovic defeated the Argentine Diego Schwartzman with ease.
The defending champion prevailed in Melbourne in three sets 6: 3, 6: 4, 6: 4 and thus moved into the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. Djokovic meets former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic from Canada in the top eight.
In the first round, Djokovic defeated Jan-Lennard Struff from Sauerland. If he wins the title for the eighth time and Spaniard Rafael Nadal leaves the semi-finals, Djokovic will again be number one in the world tennis rankings.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova also moved into the quarter-finals of the Australian Open after losing a set. The Czech tennis player won 6: 7 (4: 7), 6: 3, 6: 2 against the Greek Maria Sakkari. Last year, world ranking eighth Kvitova lost in the final against Japanese Naomi Osaka, who has already eliminated this time.
The winning streak of tennis teenager Cori Gauff, on the other hand, ended in the round of 16. The 15-year-old American lost 7: 6 (7: 5), 3: 6, 0: 6 to her six-year-old compatriot Sofia Kenin. Kenin is 14th in Melbourne. Gauff had previously surprised at her Australian Open debut with her victory over the Japanese title holder Naomi Osaka.
The youngest participant in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year is considered an exceptional talent and had caused a sensation for the first time last summer when she reached Wimbledon in the last sixteen. The world ranking 67 must go to their first Grand Slam quarter-finals. Gauff is still waiting.
