Novak Djokovic to face Milos Raonic in quarter-finals

DEFENDING champion Novak Djokovic reached his 11th Australian Open quarter-final with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Argentine Diego Schwartzman.

The seven-time winner was frustrated with himself in the opening set but broke the 14th seed in the eighth game.

Schwartzman fought back after losing the first three games of the second set but could not halt the resurgent Serb.

Djokovic broke again in the fifth game of the third set en route to victory in Melbourne.

Despite the straight-set win, this display was not as impressive as the one produced against Yoshihito Nishioka in the previous round. The opening games of the first set were a struggle as Djokovic muttered to himself over his form.

He improved as the set wore on though, and looked at his best in the first few games of the second before Schwartzman broke his opponent for the only time.

However, the Serb regained control of the match and eventually sealed victory in just over two hours.

The world number two will have to raise his level against his next opponent, Milos Raonic, who secured a 6-4 6-3 7-5 over 2018 finalist Marin Cilic.

Teenage phenomenon Coco Gauff missed out on her first Grand Slam quarter-final as fellow American Sofia Kenin fought back to win in the Australian Open fourth round.

Gauff, 15, lost 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-0 to the 14th seed in Melbourne.

She showed all her undoubted quality in the first set, but tired in the third as Kenin wore her down.

Kenin will next face Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, who beat Serena Williams’ conqueror Wang Qiang in straight sets. -