Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti will face each other for the 11th time in their careers on Wednesday when they meet in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
Djokovic dominates the head-to-head series 9-1 and has won six in a row against Musetti since suffering his only defeat via a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 decision at the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters. The 38-year-old is 4-0 on hard courts and has dominated each of their two outdoor matches on hard courts: 6-3, 6-3 at the 2022 Dubai tournament and 6-2, 6-2 last spring in Miami. They last met last fall in the Athens final, which Djokovic won 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.
That showdown in Athens was thought to be a must-win match for Musetti in his bid to pass Felix Auger-Aliassime for the final spot in the Nitto ATP Finals. However, Djokovic withdrew from Turin immediately afterwards, giving a place to the Italian.
An appearance in the year-end championship was a well-deserved reward for Musetti’s efforts in 2025. The world number 5 reached three finals (including Monte Carlo), advanced to two other semi-finals of the Masters 1000 and reached the semi-finals of the French Open and the quarter-finals of the US Open. Musetti is back in another Grand Slam quarter thanks to victories over Raphael Collignon (via retirement in the fourth set), Lorenzo Sonego, Tomas Machac (in five sets) and Taylor Fritz.
Djokovic had no trouble securing a spot in the last eight. In fact, no one has played less tennis in four rounds than the fourth-ranked Serbian. He eliminated Pedro Martinez, Francesco Maestrelli and Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets before receiving a walkover from Jakub Mensik on Monday.
Even if Djokovic is slightly past his prime, he remains an absolute force in the majors – especially when healthy and well-rested. That is certainly the case now, partly thanks to three full days off due to Mensik’s withdrawal.
While Musetti has the game to challenge anyone, he is unlikely to have the necessary belief given his uselessness in this particular match.
Choice: Djokovic in 4
#Australian #Open #tennis #preview #picks #Djokovic #Musetti