January 23, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
World number one-ranked Serbian Novak Djokovic has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2012 Australian Open for the fifth consecutive year. He defeated hometown favorite Lleyton Hewitt of Australia in four sets, 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Djokovic is hopeful of becoming only the fifth ever to win three consecutive majors.
Hewitt, a former Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion, could not hold the comeback after taking the third set 6-4 at his 16th Australian Open campaign. There is now no longer any Australians remaining in either the men’s or women’s draws.
Djokovic will now go on to play the number five-ranked David Ferrer of Spain in the quarterfinals.
“In my eyes David Ferrer and every player, especially the ones from the top, are great competitors and I have lots of respect towards them,” Djokovic said. “I think sometimes they’re underrated, you know. Especially Ferrer, who has been so consistent, he’s been a top‑five player for a long time.”
