Australian Open 2024 results: Novak Djokovic beats Taylor Fritz to ...

Djokovic calls the Australian Open his "second home", such has been his dominance over the years, and this was another masterful display as he saw off the latest younger challenger on Rod Laver Arena.

The victory means the Serb's last defeat in Melbourne remains a fourth-round loss against South Korea's Chung Hyeon in 2018.

With the match starting about 17:00 local time in temperatures of 31C, Djokovic coolly created eight break points in the opening set but became increasingly flustered as he was unable to take any of them.

The 24-time major champion - looking overheated, regularly using ice towels and shouting towards his team - was almost punished when the 26-year-old created two set points at 6-5 with a stunning forehand winner down the line.

However, Djokovic - who will extend his lead to three over Rafael Nadal at the top of the men's list of Grand Slam winners - regained his composure to save them and it laid the platform for him to pounce in the tie-break.

Helped by Fritz missing a simple volley for 1-0, Djokovic quickly asserted his authority and wrapped up the opening set after 84 minutes.

The American, who had lost all eight of his previous meetings with Djokovic, responded valiantly.

A break of serve in the first game of the second set, before fighting off seven more break points, enabled Fritz to level the match.

But Fritz started to be hampered by a foot issue and Djokovic, looking strong as the conditions cooled, broke twice to win the third set.

Now completely in control, Djokovic was under little pressure on his serve and when he broke for 4-2 in the fourth, the match looked to be heading towards the conclusion.

Fritz rallied once more, hitting straight back to take Djokovic's serve, but the Serb broke again before serving out strongly.

"Conversion of break points was really poor but I think at the end of the day I managed to break him when it mattered in the third and the fourth set," said Djokovic.

"I upped my game probably mid-way through the third set to the end."