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Novak Djokovic’s bid for a 100th ATP Tour title gained momentum yesterday as the Serb thumped fellow veteran Gael Monfils 6-3 6-3 to reach the Brisbane International quarter-finals.
The 37-year-old, who is looking to join Roger Federer (103) and Jimmy Connors (109) as players who have won at least a century of titles, breezed through the first set on the back of a solitary break in the fourth game.
Djokovic never looked back from there as he powered through the second set to extend his win-loss record against the French player to 20-0, nearly two decades after their first encounter in the opening round of the 2005 US Open.
Djokovic will step up his preparations for a tilt at a 25th Grand Slam title at the January 12-26 Australian Open when he takes on big-serving American Reilly Opelka in the next round.
Opelka got past Matteo Arnaldi 7-6(9) 7-6(4) while Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, another player who can blow away his opponents with booming serves, upset fourth seed Frances Tiafoe 6-4 7-6(4).
Czech 19-year-old Jakub Mensik earlier mowed down Serbian lucky loser Dusan Lajovic 6-3 6-2.
In the women’s event, reigning US Open and Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka will aim to defeat Yulia Putintseva and reach the last eight.
Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, who overcame a shoulder injury that ended her 2024 season early, dug deep to beat Armenia’s Elina Avanesyan 6-4 1-6 6-4 and reach her first tour quarter-final since the Berlin Open in June.
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