Djokovic rolls on, Americans savour banner day at Australian Open

NOVAK Djokovic's bid for a 10th Australian Open crown shifted up a gear on Monday as he raced into the quarterfinals with a centre court masterclass and left his hamstring troubles behind.

A year after being deported from the country on the eve of the Grand Slam, Djokovic sent the last Australian packing with a 6-2 6-1 6-2 demolition of Alex de Minaur at a floodlit Rod Laver Arena.

The Serbian great set up a quarterfinal against Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev and was thrilled to report the hamstring strain on his left leg was no longer bothering him.

“I cannot say I'm sorry that you haven't watched a longer match," Djokovic joked to the crowd.

“I really wanted to win in straight sets. “Tonight it wasn’t obvious that I was dealing with an injury, I didn't feel anything today, so today was great."

With young gun Ben Shelton winning a five-set battle against compatriot JJ Wolf and Sebastian Korda advancing on Sunday, Tommy Paul ensured three American men will contest the quarterfinals for the first time since 2000.

The unseeded Paul beat 24th seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-5 in the evening at Margaret Court Arena to book a matchup with 20-yearold Shelton, whose dream run continued with a 6-7(5) 6-2 6-7(4) 7-6(4) 6-2 win over Wolf.

“Any time you play Bautista it's going to be a war," said a beaming Paul after reaching his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.

“I’m really happy playing an American in the quarters, there’s going to be an American in the semis."

While Djokovic hurtled through, it was the exception on a day of grinding contests for the men, none more so than Rublev’s tense five-set win over Danish wunderkind Holger Rune.

After coming back from 5-2 down in the fifth set at Rod Laver Arena, the Russian redhead claimed the cliffhanger 6-3 3-6 6-3 4-6 7-6 (11-9) courtesy of a lucky net cord on match point.

“(Tennis is) not a rollercoaster, it’s like they put a gun to your head,” Rublev joked after his final return of serve clipped the net and popped over, leaving Rune no chance.

“I think a rollercoaster is a lot easier, man.”