Novak Djokovic booked his place in the Australian Open quarterfinals. The Serb was set to play Jakub Menšík in the fourth round but the Czech had to withdraw from the match due to an injury.
Novak Djokovic Receives Bye to Australian Open QF
Djokovic has fared well so far at the Australian Open and booked his place in the fofourth round without dropping a single set. The Serb bagged 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 wins over Pedro Martínez and Francesco Maestrelli before beating Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(4).
He was next scheduled to face 16th seed Menšík but the Czech announced his withdrawal from the Australian Open, citing an abdominal injury.
“This is a tough one to write. After long conversations with my team and doctors and after doing everything we could to keep going, I have to withdraw from the Australian Open due to an abdominal injury that has progressed over the last matches,” Menšík wrote on Instagram.
“Even though I’m disappointed, making the 4th round here for the first time is something I will carry with me for a long time. I felt so much energy from the fans and the atmosphere in Melbourne was truly special,” the Czech added.
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Menšík entered the Australian Open after winning the ASB Classic in Auckland. He had to grind out a 7-5, 4-6, 2-6, 7-6(3), 6-3 win over Pablo Carreño Busta before bagging straight-set wins over Rafael Jódar (6-2, 6-4, 6-4) and Ethan Quinn (6-2, 7-6(5), 7-6(5)). The Czech has eight wins out of 10 matches so far in the 2026 season.
Djokovic and Menšík have had two prior encounters on the ATP Tour, with their head-to-head currently tied at 1-1. The Serb beat him 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Shanghai Masters before the Czech beat him 7-6(4), 7-6(4) to win last year’s Miami Masters.
Djokovic’s Australian Open QF Opponent
After his walkover in the fourth round, Djokovic will next face either fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti or ninth seed Taylor Fritz. Both players had to battle their way to the fourth round, with Musetti edging out Tomáš Macháč 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 while Fritz beat Stan Wawrinka 6-7(5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic has dominant head-to-head records against both players, leading 9-1 against Musetti and 11-0 against Fritz. If the Serb wins his quarterfinal, his potential semifinal opponents include second seed Jannik Sinner, eighth seed Ben Shelton, 12th seed Casper Ruud, and 22nd seed Luciano Darderi.
