Djokovic calls the Australian Open his “second residence”, such has been his dominance over time, and this was one other masterful show as he noticed off the most recent youthful challenger on Rod Laver Area.
The victory means the Serb’s final defeat in Melbourne stays a fourth-round loss in opposition to South Korea’s Chung Hyeon in 2018.
With the match beginning about 17:00 native time in temperatures of 31C, Djokovic coolly created eight break factors within the opening set however grew to become more and more flustered as he was unable to take any of them.
The 24-time main champion – wanting overheated, recurrently utilizing ice towels and shouting in direction of his group – was virtually punished when the 26-year-old created two set factors at 6-5 with a shocking forehand winner down the road.
Nevertheless, Djokovic regained his composure to avoid wasting them and it laid the platform for him to pounce within the tie-break.
Helped by Fritz lacking a easy volley for 1-0, Djokovic shortly asserted his authority and wrapped up the opening set after 84 minutes.
The American, who had misplaced all eight of his earlier conferences with Djokovic, responded valiantly.
A break of serve within the first sport of the second set, earlier than combating off seven extra break factors, enabled Fritz to degree the match.
However Fritz began to be hampered by a foot problem and Djokovic, wanting sturdy because the situations cooled, broke twice to win the third set.
Now fully in management, Djokovic was underneath little strain on his serve and when he broke for 4-2 within the fourth, the match seemed to be heading in direction of the conclusion.
Fritz rallied as soon as extra, hitting straight again to take Djokovic’s serve, however the Serb broke once more earlier than serving out strongly.
“Conversion of break factors was actually poor however I feel on the finish of the day I managed to interrupt him when it mattered within the third and the fourth set,” mentioned Djokovic.
“I upped my sport in all probability mid-way by the third set to the top.”