Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/AP
CNN
—
Novak Djokovic produced a stunning performance to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals with a 6-0 6-0 6-3 victory over France’s Adrian Mannarino on Sunday.
It is the 58th time the Serb has reached the last eight of a grand slam, equaling Roger Federer’s all-time record.
Djokovic, who is chasing a record-extending 25th grand slam title, had faced tough tests in the opening two rounds of this tournament, dropping a set in each, but has ominously found his rhythm as the second week approaches.
“The first two sets [were some] of the best sets I’ve played in a while,” the Serb said afterwards, per the ATP Tour.
As Djokovic raced through the first two sets without dropping a game, he seemed on course for a rare triple bagel – which would have been the first of its kind at the Australian Open and first at any grand slam since 1993 – but Mannarino, who could only laugh at the end of the second set, finally won a game in the third.