Australian Open 2025 outcomes: Novak Djokovic beats Jiri Lehecka to arrange quarter-final with Carlos Alcaraz

Novak Djokovic made an exhilarating Australian Open quarterfinal in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz with a convincing win over Jiri Lehecka.

Djokovic continued his bid for a twenty fifth Grand Slam title with a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) victory in opposition to the Czech twenty fourth seed.

He’ll face Alcaraz within the final eight after the Spaniard stepped up when British participant Jack Draper retired with a hip harm earlier on Sunday.

Alcaraz beat Djokovic in two Wimbledon finals, however the 21-year-old Serbian gained gold on the Paris Olympics final summer season – which Djokovic known as “an enormous sporting achievement”.

Djokovic was booed by the group when Lehecka threatened to pressure a fourth set, and the 11-year Australian Open champion left Rod Laver Area early after his victory.

“Thanks very a lot for being right here tonight. Thanks in your assist and I’ll see you within the subsequent spherical,” stated the 37-year-old.

Talking at a information convention later, Djokovic defined his causes for deviating from a routine on-court interview with four-time main winner Jim Courier.

He spoke of the actions of Channel 9 newsreader Tony Jones, who shouted “Novak, he is gone too far, Novak’s been round, Novak has fired him” to Djokovic’s followers whereas dwell on digicam on Friday.

“A couple of days in the past, a well-known sports activities journalist who works for the official broadcaster Channel 9 right here in Australia made enjoyable of the Serbian followers and stated insulting and hateful phrases about me,” stated Djokovic.

“So since they’re the official broadcaster, I selected to not do an interview with Channel 9. I’ve nothing in opposition to Jim Courier or the Australian group.

“It was a really dangerous state of affairs for me.”

On Monday, Jones stated he thought the feedback have been “humorous” and “ridiculous”, however apologized within the air – saying he had already given it to Djokovic’s workforce 48 hours earlier.

“I stand by that apology to Novak, if he feels disrespected, which he clearly does.”

Channel 9 additionally issued a public apology, saying “no hurt was completed to Novak or his followers”.