Australian Open day 9 live results: schedule, order of play, highlights, Novak Djokovic Alex de Minaur result

Novak Djokovic did not play like a man suffering from a hamstring as he humiliated Australia’s Alex de Minaur on Monday night.

In fact, he felt “fantastic” during the straight set demolition, which lasted barely two hours.

And as reckless as the performance was and as free as Djokovic looked as he glided across the court, it wasn’t long before skeptics emerged and wondered how bad that hamstring injury could have been.

During Djokovic’s last appearance at Melbourne Park – in 2021, when he claimed a record ninth at the Australian Open – the Serbian star revealed that he had come into the third round with a torn abdominal muscle and was handicapped by it in the second week of the tournament .

But the constant speculation about the seriousness – and veracity – of his injuries is gradually fading as Djokovic took time off in the Serbian segment of his post-match press conference.

“I leave the doubts to these people – let them doubt,” he told his country’s media in Serbian.

“Only my injuries are questioned. If some other players are injured then they are the victims but if it’s me I’m faking it. It’s very interesting… I don’t feel like I have to prove anything to anyone.

“I have MRI, ultrasound and everything else, both from two years ago and now. Whether I publish this in my documentary or on social media depends on how I feel. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t.

“I’m not really interested in what people think and say at the moment.

“It’s fun, it’s interesting to see the narrative going on around me, a narrative that’s different from other players who’ve been through a similar situation. But I’m used to it and it gives me extra strength and motivation. I thank them for that.”

6 a.m.: Untouchable? STORY RUNS TO CANCEL DJOKER

Alex de Minaur says Novak Djokovic could be untouchable if he reproduces the level of tennis he delivered to oust the Australian in straight sets on Monday night.

The nine-time Australian Open winner defeated the 22nd seed Aussie 6-2 6-1 6-2 in a performance that caught the eye of his rivals – including quarter-final opponent Andrey Rublev.

Rublev said earlier Monday he was expecting to face Djokovic and his prophecy seemed to come true within 15 minutes of the first game of a game the Serb dominated.

Such was his superiority as he brought Andre Agassi’s record of 26 consecutive singles wins one win closer to Melbourne Park, de Minaur said Djokovic was destined for a 10th Australian Open.

“I think from what I experienced today, Novak was probably very close to his best, I would say,” said de Minaur.

“If that’s the level, I think he’s definitely the guy who’s going to take the title.”

Djokovic said after the game that his confidence increased after surviving the de Minaur game unscathed.

And with his physique improving and less of a focus, he can begin to refine his ambition of another Melbourne Park triumph.

De Minaur added he felt Djokovic could hit winners from anywhere on the court during the three-set blitz.

“He didn’t do what he did in this sport without knowing how to play at that level,” he said.

“Look, I knew what to expect. Ultimately, you walk out with a plan and try to execute it. “Sometimes your opponent makes it quite difficult to carry out a plan. I think that’s exactly what he did today.

“He felt on a different level than mine. I was just trying to stay there. At first it was very solid, then it loosened up even more and started to vibrate. It felt like he could hit

Winner of every seat on the court.”

Originally published as Australian Open Day 9 Live Scores: Schedule, Order of Play, Highlights, Results