Djokovic first player to win 400 matches at Grand Slams
Novak Djokovic escaped the heat and doused Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) at the Australian Open on Saturday to reach the fourth round and add another line in the record book during his bid for a standalone 25th Grand Slam title.
With his 102nd match victory at Melbourne, the evergreen Serb equalled six-time champion Roger Federer’s record at the year’s first Major and also became the first player to secure 400 wins at the Grand Slams.
“I feel really good. It’s been a great start,” the 10-times Melbourne Park champion declared.
“Things can change and I’m not getting ahead of myself, because last year I learned a lesson, I got too excited too early in some of the Slams, playing well and getting to the quarterfinals and semifinals and then getting injured.
“I’m still trying to give these young guys a push for their money. I’m still around and hanging in there. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are playing at a different level.
“But when you enter the court and the ball rolls, you always have a chance … especially on this court. I look forward to a good battle.” Djokovic opened the evening session on a steamy day in which play continued under the main showcourt roofs and eased to a 5-3 lead before firing a sublime backhand crosscourt winner and celebrating with his arms out to mimic an airplane.
He endured minor turbulence following that point, but had no trouble taking full flight again as he broke in the opening game of the second set when a deflated Van de Zandschulp fired his backhand long.
Djokovic briefly lost his cool while up 4-2, striking a ball that flew close to a ball kid stationed near the net. Though the Serb avoided a code violation, the incident triggered memories of his 2020 U.S. Open default for striking a line judge.
Up two sets, Djokovic had treatment for a blister on his foot after a tumble in the third and rallied from a break down before holding his nerve in the tiebreak to set up a clash with 16th seed Jakub Mensik.
“A few points before (I fell) I almost twisted my ankle and wanted to see the physio for my blisters,” Djokovic said.
“Thankfully I managed to have a good fall and protected myself. Things could have been very ugly in that moment.”
Swiatek survives scare to beat Kalinskaya
World number two Iga Swiatek was given an almighty scare by Russian Anna Kalinskaya before earning a 6-1, 1-6, 6-1 victory on Saturday and advancing to the Australian Open fourth round.
Swiatek recovered well from her shaky second set to seal the win in one hour and 44 minutes, as she continued to build momentum in her hunt for a career Grand Slam.
The second-seeded Pole was at her ruthless best as she raced to a 5-1 lead with a double break and secured the opening set in only 24 minutes to turn the screws on an off-colour Kalinskaya, who received treatment on her lower back during the break.
But a role reversal in the second set saw six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek drop serve three times as Kalinskaya controlled proceedings, capitalising on a number of errors off the Pole’s racket.
Swiatek took a medical timeout between the second and third sets before returning with a vengeance, winning five straight games to stamp out Kalinskaya’s resistance.
To her credit, the 31st seed was able to hold serve and made Swiatek defend three break points, but it was too little too late as the Pole held for the win. Asked about the swings in momentum during the match, Swiatek said: “Honestly, it was not surprising for me …
“I just wanted to be there when I have a chance, when I have a slower ball, to still be proactive and put pressure on her. I didn’t feel like I was playing worse in the second set.
“I felt like she just put in all the balls that went out in the first set. I wanted to focus on myself no matter what was going on on the other side of the net and I kept going because the momentum can change for sure.”
Swiatek next faces Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis, who progressed to the fourth round after her third-round opponent Naomi Osaka, twice Australian Open champion, pulled out of the Grand Slam due to an abdominal injury.
“Hopefully Naomi is well. I didn’t know. I mean, she was playing great. I haven’t watched, but I saw from the scores,” Swiatek said. “She likes playing here as well. So I hope she’s well.
“Yeah, it’s exciting to be in the fourth round again. And guys, hopefully you’re not going to be so harsh on me if I play an Australian.
“But there are a lot of Polish flags here. So yeah, please make it even.”
Stan Wawrinka bids farewell
Stan Wawrinka said goodbye after his loss to Taylor Fritz and then grabbed two beers from a courtside ice box, cracked the cans with the Australian Open tournament director and saluted the crowd.
“Cheers everybody!” the 40-year-old Wawrinka said after Saturday’s 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 third-round loss to No. 9 Fritz. “And thank you so much.”
Wawrinka won the first of his three Grand Slam titles in Australia in 2014.
With a 4 1/2-hour, five-set win over 21-year-old French qualifier Arthur Gea in the second round, Wawrinka became the first man 40 or older to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since Ken Rosewall at the 1978 Australian Open. His 49th five-set match at a major was also a record.
“I’m not sure it’s the best statistic to have,” he said of 40-plus milestone, “but I will take it.”
Wawrinka said before the start of the 2026 season that this would be his last on the professional circuit, but he added that it wasn’t just a farewell tour. He’s still putting on the work and still getting results.
After Wawrinka’s last match at Melbourne Park, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley joined him on court for a ceremony and a small tribute on the stadium screen at John Cain Arena.
After the formalities, Wawrinka wanted a few final words.
“Normally we talk on court after a final. Today is not a final, so I won’t make it too long,” he said. “Thank you for the wildcard invitation … to have one last chance to say goodbye to the people in Melbourne.
“It was my last time as a tennis player here, unfortunately. I had so many emotions here the last 20 years. I’m sad to leave, but it’s been an amazing journey.”
Then he added, more ab-lib, “Now I can enjoy. If you don’t mind, I’d like to share a beer with Craig.”