Day 4 Recap: Top Seeds Progress in 2024 Australian Open Round of 64

Day four at the 2024 Australian Open saw the round of sixty-four kick off with the top half of the draw in action.

Like the first round, fourth seed Jannik Sinner was an early starter, and he made sure he had most of the afternoon to himself by dispatching Jesper de Jong in straight sets.

The other top guys in action also progressed relatively comfortably, with Rublev, Tstisipas, de Minaur, Fritz, Khachanov, and Shelton all living up to their seedings to make it into round 3.

Aside from Musetti, who is somehow still seeded at Grand Slams, the only notable name to fall was Frances Tiafoe, who crashed out to Tomas Machac in straight sets. 

Then, in the night session, Novak Djokovic was again the star attraction, battling past the heavy-hitting Aussie, Alexie Popyrin, in another tricky match where he wasn’t at his best.

You can see the full results below. Note another good win for Cobolli, who’s now in the 3rd round after coming through qualifying. 

Day Four 2024 Australian Open Round of 64 Results

Sinner Jostles Past De Jong

Jannik Sinner opened the day four program on Margaret Court Arena and comfortably beat the twenty-three-year-old Jesper de Jong, playing his first Grand Slam main draw after qualifying.

It was the second Dutchman Sinner had faced, having dispatched Botic van de Zandschulp in round 1, but under the roof of MCA, he improved his level from two days earlier, stifling his opponent with some heavy baseline hitting to cruise through 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.

The Italian didn’t face a break point during the match, and while de Jong played well enough, he could never force Sinner out of second gear and played more the role of bystander than adversary.

I was very calm and stable throughout the whole match. I served good, also returned well, so it was a good match today. I love the indoor conditions. Sinner on his comfortable win.

Tsitsipas Grinds Out Win Over Thompson

Stefanos Tsitsipas hit back to grind out a 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-2, 7-6(4) win over home hopeful Jordan Thompson.

The Greek hasn’t been in his best form over the last few months, arguably since last year’s Australian Open, but he managed to shake off the spirited Thompson, the stereotypical Aussie competitor who’s lively around the court.

While Tsitsipas isn’t at his best, he has a stellar serve to keep him in contention, saving nine of 11 break points he faced and winning 75% (58/77) of points behind his first serve. Next up for him is a clash with Luca van Assche.

The adrenaline and the rush I got out of this match tonight was insane. You live for these kinds of matches, the intensity was there today. We were both able to peak in terms of our tennis at some point during the match. The fact that I can go to sleep tonight and know I gave it all makes me extremely happy right now. Tsitsipas on his win over Thompson.

Djokovic  Past Popyrin

Novak Djokovic hasn’t had it all his way in Melbourne so far.

After being forced to dig deep vs Prizmic in the opening round, the big-hitting Popyrin provided an equally stern test for the Serb, who appears to be trying to get over a common cold, isn’t quite hitting through his forehand from the baseline and had to deal with a partisan (half cut) crowd during the night session.

Still, you don’t win ten Norman Brooks’ Challenge Cups for nothing, and Novak again found something extra when he needed to, saving four set points from 0-40 4-5 in the third set to eventually win through 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3.

Next up for Djoker is Etcheverry, who’s had two solid wins so far and could again prove a capable foil if Djokovic isn’t back to his best.

Nick Kyrgios has commented on both his matches and reckons Novak is trying to protect his wrist, which is why he’s not as dialled in from the baseline nor as passionate as he can be.

Typically, when Djokovic isn’t at 100%, he becomes a more disengaged figure on the court, so it will be interesting to see how he comes out on Friday.

He had quite an easy forehand and he missed it. I didn’t do anything special, and I was lucky on that point, on that game, to get away. He was the better player I think for a set and a half. In the second set and third set he was the better player. Things changed around, and the momentum shifted in the tie-break. I managed to put the ball more in the court than he did. I don’t think I played at the highest level. In some instances yes, but also credit to him for tactically coming up with the right game plan and serving big. He deserves a big round of applause. Djokovic on his Popyrin escape.

Other Matches of Note

• Fritz Cruises: Four games dropped for the American, who crushed Hugo Gaston 6-0, 6-3, 6-1 to move into round 3.
• Shelton Outs O’Connell: A tricky third and fourth set for the big serving leftie, but he dragged the fourth to a tiebreak and took charge to avoid a fifth set. 6-4, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5(5).
• Musetti Collapses in Fifth: The shotmaking Italian was eliminated in 5 sets by the meticulous Luca Van Assche. What happened to the Tuscan from 3-2 in the fourth set is hard to explain. Ahead two sets to one, he suddenly lost ten games in a row: 6-3 3-6 6-7(5) 6-3 6-0. 
• Machac Trounces Tiafoe: A first top 20 win and into the 3rd round of a Grand Slam for Tomas Machac, who comfortably defeated Tiafoe 6-4 6-4 7-6(5). Big Foe’s form has taken a nosedive of late, and he’s lost that exuberant style he’s known for.
• Rublev Eliminates Eubanks: That looked like a potential banana skin, given Eubanks’ impressive win in the first round and Rublev’s five-setter, but the Russian took care of business, handling the Eubanks serve to move through 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Australian Open Day 5 Round of 64 Matches

Who has impressed you in Melbourne so far? Are you a fan of Kyrgios, the commentator?