Novak Djokovic, Alex de Minaur prepare for first meeting with an Australian Open quarterfinal

In preparation for their first encounter, Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur compete for a berth in the Australian Open quarterfinals. According to the odds, Novak Djokovic should win his match against Alex de Minaur in the fourth round this evening.Nine-time Australian Open winner Djokovic is vying for his 22nd major singles championship.The Serb has only lost one set thus far in 2018 Australian Open. He has made it to the quarterfinals on all but two of his previous 14 trips in the tournament's fourth round.Although Djokovic enjoys hunting at Melbourne Park, this year's campaign has presented some difficulties.He has been constrained by a left hamstring issue that has necessitated medical attention all season.He has been constrained by a left hamstring issue that has necessitated medical attention for the whole first week of the competition.He defeated Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets on Saturday night while sporting strapping on his broken leg, and at times he appeared uneasy moving across the court.After defeating Dimitrov, Djokovic said that the injury is on his mind.Djokovic stated on Saturday, "I did not want to withdraw from the event because I wanted to see how [my hamstring] was going to feel on the court.So the opening game went well. In the second game, I really struggled. There were a few times when it was truly awful for me. as well as today.When Djokovic faces de Minaur on Rod Laver Arena, he will have another obstacle to overcome.The great majority of spectators will be rooting for the young Australian, who has lost just one set en route to making a second appearance in the round of 16 in Melbourne.Despite the fact that Djokovic is familiar with Rod Laver Arena and anticipates having a sizable contingent of his followers there, he has accepted that de Minaur will be the crowd favourite.However, the 35-year-old has faced Australian rivals on centre court on prior trips and is prepared.The fourth-seeded Djokovic added, "Playing an Aussie man here in front of his home audience is a great task.

The atmosphere will be electrifying, he'll have a lot of support, and he'll be fired up to try to win the match, I'm sure.However, I've had prior encounters. Here, I portrayed Lleyton Hewitt. I've faced some formidable Australian opponents, so I understand how it feels.The Australian public is excellent.De Minaur enjoys every chance he gets to compete on Rod Laver Arena. He is the only Australian left in either of the main singles events."I adore playing here in my backyard, that much is obvious." After defeating Benjamin Bonzi in the third round, de Minaur remarked, "I believe the Australian crowd is great."They have supported me from the beginning. Thus, I'll alwaysThey have supported me from the beginning. I will always treasure that."The ultimate aim, in my opinion, is to be just as difficult to beat no matter where I play—whether it's court 27 at some random location or centre court here."Now, I believe the distinction is that the adversaries not only have to play against me, they also have to play against the entire audience, correct?" That is most likely the distinction.The showdown this evening will be Djokovic and de Minaur's first career head-to-head encounter.The world No. 24 is hoping to make it to the Australian Open quarterfinals for the first time in his career, and Djokovic is wary of him.The fact that I had never met him was a challenge for both of us, according to Djokovic.Despite the fact that we may not be very familiar with one another's games, we nonetheless get along well because he has been around for a while.