MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic’s hamstring almost stalled as the favorite entered the last 16 of the Australian Open on Saturday, but Andy Murray’s heroic run is far from over.
Meanwhile, hard-hitting Aryna Sabalenka lit up her title credentials along with several other female seeds.
An ailing Djokovic twice required heavy strapping and treatment on his troubled left hamstring before defeating Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (9/7), 6-3, 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena.
The Serb will face home hope Alex de Minaur for a place in the quarter-finals as he inches closer to a 10th Melbourne Park crown and a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title.
“Obviously I didn’t know how I was feeling physically, it was going up and down,” Djokovic said.
“It was an incredible fight, three sets over three hours. Let’s rest and prepare for the next one.
Djokovic’s partner Murray, 35, would not join him in the next round, however, as the Briton eventually joined him as he finished in 4:05.
Former No. 1 Murray was clearly feeling the effects of his epic five-setter in round two, which began on Thursday but ended in the early hours of Friday.
Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut, seeded 24, won 6-1, 6-7 (7/9), 6-3, 6-4 and faces American unseeded Tommy Paul.
Murray said, “I gave everything I had in the last three games – I’m very proud of that.”
“But I’m also disappointed because I worked hard at the beginning of the year and was playing really well to do well.”
Also in the men’s draw, fifth seed Andrey Rublev advanced into a clash with Holger Roon – then thanks to his defeated opponent Dan Evans going bananas midway through the match.
The Russian player reached the fourth round for the third time after defeating the British player 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.
He will take on Denmark’s teenager Rooney for a place in the quarter-finals as the ninth seed seeded after overcoming France’s Hugo Humbert 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (7/5).
His friend and 25th seed Evans threw a banana at Rublev during a changeover when he was run out.
Rublev said, “I didn’t ask him, I asked the ball boy, but Danny asked for bananas first and he had two bananas so he said ‘take this’ and I grabbed it.”
In the two All-American matches, Jeffrey Wolf edged past Michael Mamoh in three sets, while Paul made equally light work of Jenson Brooksby.
Sabalenka is building a head of steam in her quest for her maiden Grand Slam title.
The fifth seed from Belarus beat 26th seed Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-3 to set up a clash with Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.
30th seed Karolina Pliskova and 23rd seed Zhang Shuai also lost in straight sets on the sixth day at Melbourne Park and will meet in the fourth round.
Sablenka is trying not to get carried away.
The Minsk-born 24-year-old jeered the Margaret Court Arena crowd for supporting Belgium’s Mertens but said she was enjoying the ride into her second week.
“About favourites, that I’m on that favorites list… I mean, it’s really cool that I’m there,” said the Belarusian, who has yet to drop a set.
But better focus on myself, my game, make sure my dream comes true.”
Bencic hasn’t even dropped a set in Melbourne. The 12th seed from Switzerland defeated unseeded Camilla Giorgi of Italy 6-2, 7-5.
Also in the fourth round is 17-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova, who defeated fellow Czech Marka Vondrousova in three sets. She will face Donna Vekic of Croatia.
“It feels so surreal,” the teen told reporters.
“It’s an incredible feeling. I’m so happy and excited to be able to say: ‘Hi other week!’
French fourth seed Caroline Garcia came back from a first set down to beat world No. 158 Laura Siegmund 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.