‘Every time it’s a lesson’ – Musetti eyes Djokovic after beating Fritz

Lorenzo Musetti produced a dominant display to beat Taylor Fritz in straight sets and set up an Australian Open quarter-final against 10-time winner Novak Djokovic.

After coming through a gruelling five-set battle against Tomas Machac two days earlier, Musetti cruised to a 6-2 7-5 6-4 win over the American ninth seed.

The 23-year-old Italian, ranked fifth in the world, has now reached the quarter-finals at all four Grand Slam tournaments and said he will push Djokovic to his “maximum”.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion advanced to the last eight after Jakub Mensik withdrew before their fourth-round match with an abdominal injury.

“Novak, we’ve played many, many times and every time it’s a lesson,” said Musetti, who has won only one of his 10 meetings with the Serb.

“He didn’t have to play today, so I’m pretty sure he won’t be tired. Hopefully the rhythm I have right now with the great match today will bring me luck for the next one.

“I feel ready to try to push him to the maximum.”

Musetti hammered down 13 aces on Monday and won 84% of points on his first serve, while he fended off each of the two break points he faced against Fritz.

“The serve was really working well – I made probably one of my best performances with aces in my career, so I’m really really happy,” Musetti added.

“The goal was to start the year well as I’d never surpassed the first week here. Being in the quarter-finals here is really a dream.”

Musetti, who reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros last year, dedicated his victory to his coach and physio, who had to fly home earlier this week for personal reasons.

“We’ve been a little bit unlucky off the court, for personal reasons they had to go back but they’re here with their hearts,” Musetti said.

“It’s tough to speak because when real life knocks the door it’s something really surprising – I feel more mature on the court and playing better also for that, and for them.”