By Chris Oddo | Saturday January 20, 2018
Novak Djokovic rolled past Albert Ramos-Vinolas in straight sets to set up a round of 16 clash with Hyeon Chung.
Photo Source: Scott Barbour/Getty
At times Novak Djokovic was imperious during Saturday’s 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Albert Ramos-Vinolas, rifling through points with the penetrating purpose that characterized his days of dominance. At others he wore a slight look of impatience as if to say: not again?
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Djokovic notched a dominant win over Ramos-Vinolas, displaying vintage form off of both wings to go with the footwork and variety that made him the most lethal player in the game before he succumbed to injuries last season, but he was not able to escape without a tinge of worry. Djokovic had trainers working on his hip in the second set, and at times during the match he appeared to struggle with the injury. It wasn’t an epic struggle, and the injury doesn’t appear to be significant, but it was just enough to make one wonder about Djokovic’s chances of going all the way for a seventh Australian Open title. He’d grimace after a point, or display impatience when he made a rare miss, as if there was something weighing on him.
It’s not all that surprising, given that Djokovic is playing his first competitive tennis since Wimbledon, and he experienced a very physical second round match with Gael Monfils in brutal conditions just two days ago.
And it might be nothing at all.
“The good thing about Grand Slams, you always have a day off between matches, so I’ll try to use that for recovery, training and obviously get myself in good shape for the next one,” he said on court after the match, not eager to open up about what was actually ailing him on court.
More important, perhaps, was the level of Djokovic’s play as he dashed and darted past Ramos-Vinolas. The Spaniard never really had a chance. The Serb’s jaw-dropping ability to put the ball anywhere he wanted to put it, with any type of spin and any type of trajectory, was on full display for long segments in this match. There was very little hesitation to his game, he proceeded at a rapid clip, swatting backhands and forehands into the corners that left the Spaniard befuddled, outclassed.
If Djokovic can maintain this type of form, or even build on it, he well and truly could be on his way to the title in Melbourne. He’s playing that well, at the event that he excels at more than any other.
Djokovic improves to 61-7 lifetime at the Australian Open. He has reached the fourth round in Melbourne 11 times. It's not surprising to see him reclaiming his dominion at the place where his Grand Slam glory started.
But if his body proves to be unable to keep stride with his pace of play, then he could falter. It’s truly hard to tell at this point, but with each passing win Djokovic looks that much more dangerous.