14-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev in four tight sets in the Australian Open 2019 Round of 16 to set up a tantalising quarterfinal clash with Kei Nishikori. The Serb came through with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3.

Djokovic, who, with Roger Federer, is the most successful player at the Australian Open – six titles each – said the tussle against Medvedev was “physically draining” and that it felt “like a five-set match”. Both the players received treatment from the medical staff midway through the game, as the gruelling tussle seemed to have a palpable physical effect on them.

“Even though it was three sets to one, it seems like a five-set match, really,” said Djokovic after the match on Monday, January 21. “It was draining physically a lot, because, you know, you just could not rely on the one-two punch tactics.

Make that 10 #AusOpen quarterfinals for @DjokerNole 🙌 He def. Medvedev 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2 6-3 to set up a date with Kei Nishikori. pic.twitter.com/eTZoFi4dDC — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2019

“I didn’t feel so great, you know, in the last 20 minutes of the match. So we’ll see tomorrow how the body reacts, but I’m confident I can recover and I can be ready for [the] next one. It was kind of a cat-and-a-mouse game for most of the match. We had rallies of 40, 45 exchanges. That’s why I think it was physically exhausting.”

The 30-year-old heaped praise on Medvedev, stressing particularly on the Russian’s “very solid” backhand.

“His backhand is very, very solid. He didn’t give me much from that side, but, you know, you can’t always play on the forehand. You have to open up the court and try to be patient and construct the point,” he explained.

"Since I guess my opponent is watching, I'm feeling fantastic….I've never been fresher in my life!" Always the gamesman, @DjokerNole 😂#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/roB4W1UMPc — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2019

Kei Nishikori, Djokovic’s next opponent, came back from two sets down to beat Spain’s Pablo Carreño Busta in a thrilling five-setter. The Serb is wary of the impending threat and says he expects another stern test at the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday.

“Kei won another marathon match. Congratulations to him for fighting back from two sets to love and a break down. He’s a fighter. He’s a very talented player. One of the quickest players on the tour,” Djokovic acknowledged.

“I have lots of respect for him. We played here several times, once in the quarter-finals. Every year is different. Every match that you play against each other is different. I expect him to come out trying something new.

“I have beaten him many times in the past couple of years on different surfaces. There were a couple of very close matches. I expect a tough one.”