Nick Kyrgios 'feels good' about his game after watching Novak Djokovic star at Australian Open
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Published 23/01/2023 at 18:29 GMT
Nick Kyrgios said watching Novak Djokovic's impressive win over Alex de Minaur at the Australian Open made him "feel good" about how he is playing tennis. Djokovic cruised past De Minaur in just over two hours to book his place in the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam. Kyrgios, who is recovering from knee surgery, was impressed with Djokovic, as was fellow Australian John Millman.
Djokovic fans celebrate win over De Minaur at Australian Open
Novak Djokovic produced his most impressive performance of the 2023 Australian Open in the fourth round as he swept past home hope Alex de Minaur.
The nine-time champion needed just over two hours to seal victory on Rod Laver Arena as he outclassed De Minaur from start to finish.
Eurosport expert Tim Henman said it was a “statement victory” and Djokovic, who seemed less hampered by his hamstring injury, is the “clear favourite” for the title.
Even Djokovic's fellow professionals were impressed by the performance.
“Watching Novak tonight makes me feel good about my tennis in general,” wrote world No. 21 Nick Kyrgios on Twitter, followed by a laughing emoji.
“How have I beaten this guy!”
Kyrgios, who is currently recovering from surgery, has won two of his three matches against Djokovic - both in 2017.
Unfortunately for Kyrgios he lost the one that mattered most in the Wimbledon final last summer.
Another Australian, John Millman, also expressed his amazement at Djokovic’s display.
In reply to Kyrgios’ tweet, world No. 140 Millman wrote: “I’m happy to have gotten three games against him at Queens…different planet tennis.”
Kyrgios withdrew a day before the Australian Open was due to start because of injury.
He has undergone knee surgery this week and posted on a picture on Instagram of himself in a hospital bed.
"I'll be doing everything I can to get back to my best," he wrote.
"To the real ones checking in and sending the vibes…. I love you.”
Djokovic next faces fifth seed Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals.
Djokovic won their last meeting at the Nitto ATP Finals but Rublev got the better of the former world No. 1 on clay in Belgrade a year ago.
Djokovic says he feels more confident in his chances after beating De Minaur.
“Tonight, the way I played, the way I felt, gives me reason now to believe that I can go all the way.
“I mean, I always believe I can go all the way, in terms of my tennis. But the way my leg felt before tonight wasn’t giving me too many hopes, so to say, for the entire tournament, to go all the way through. Tonight I feel that, so I feel positive about it.”
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Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk.
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