Who can stop Novak Djokovic from taking out a sixth Australian Open men’s singles title?
The Djokovic juggernaut will roll into the last four after a near flawless 6-3 6-2 6-4 quarter final win over Japan seventh seed Kei Nishikori.
The Serbian world No. 1 turned it on to dismantle a top-10 opponent in two hours, seven minutes at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night.
“I have to be satisfied,” Djokovic said. “I reached semi-finals, I won against a top-10 player in straight sets.
“Comparing to the fourth round match, this was much better, that me confident and encourages me for the next one.”
Nishikori is certainly no pushover, but he was made to appear second rate by the top player on the planet.
The 26-year-old underdog came out with a plan to attack, but the more he rolled the dice, the more it he came unstuck.
The tram tracks were just not wide enough for Nishikori on this night, but at least did not die wondering.
Nishikori was a little too brash for his own good and knows he can produce a better brand of tennis.
When asked if he felt Djokovic was at his best form, Nishikori preferred to look introspectively.
“I don’t know, he could be,” he said. “I think today was more my game. You know, I was missing too much, especially first couple sets. Lost many easy games. I couldn’t make him work hard today.”
Djokovic upholds the highest professional standards from the first serve to the last shot.
Rarely does he go away from his game plan.
That generally involves unrelenting punishment of the opponent’s baseline, particularly deep in the corners.
Inevitably, the opponent cracks, as was the case with Nishikori, who had twice as many unforced errors (54-27).
“I was solid,” Djokovic said. “I was determined, focused. In important points and moments I managed to stay composed and make him play an extra shot. Overall it was a very solid performance.”
Djokovic moves through to a semi final, where he will face Swiss superstar Roger Federer.
Federer was impressive in a 7-6 6-2 6-4 mauling of Czech Tomas Berdych in the afternoon session.
In two blink-and-you-miss women’s quarter finals, world No. 1 Serena Williams knocked Maria Sharapova out 6-4 6-1, while Agnieszka Radwanska thrashed Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1 6-3.
2016 Australian Open – Quarter finals
Men’s singles
Novak Djokovic d Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-2 6-4
Roger Federer d Tomas Berdych 7-6 6-2 6-4
Gael Monfils v Milos Raonic – Wednesday
David Ferrer v Andy Murray – Wednesday
Women’s singles
Serena Williams d Maria Sharapova 6-1 6-3
Agnieszka Radwanska d Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1 6-3
Angelique Kerber v Victoria Azarenka – Wednesday
Johanna Konta v Shuai Zhang – Wednesday
