Djokovic serving up a storm at Open

MELBOURNE: Two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic powered into the fourth round of the Australian Open with a straight-sets win over the entertaining Radek Stepanek on Friday.

The Serb world number one again served magnificently to complete a 6-4, 6-3, 7-5 victory over the 31st seeded Czech in 2hr 22min on Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic will next face either American 20th seed Sam Querrey or Swiss 15th seed Stanislas Wawrinka in the round of 16 on Sunday.

Djokovic has yet to drop serve in three rounds at this year's Open and has only had five break points against him in 43 service games.

Stepanek kept coming at Djokovic and he ventured to the net 67 times to try to cut off the top seed's scoring shots.

Stepanek chased everything down and had Djokovic down a break point in the seventh game before losing the opening set when he netted a forehand in the only service break.

Djokovic settled into the groove and broke Stepanek's serve a second time in the eighth game of the second set, when the Czech was stranded at the net and the top seed volleyed past him.

Djokovic served it out for the set and Stepanek needed a 17-minute opening game in the final set before holding service, as the world number one stepped up the pressure.

The defending champion fought off a break point in the eighth game but got
the winning break three games later, and served out for victory. (AFP)