Djokovic equals Agassi’s record as he continues quest for 22nd major title

Novak Djokovic recorded his 26th straight win at the Australian Open as he advanced to the semi-final following a 6-1 6-2 6-4 over Andrey Rublev. 

Djokovic reached the quarterf-final stage after seeing off Alex De Minaur in flawless fashion, but this was a more dominant performance against a top-ten player and this will send fear into the minds of the rest of the semi-finalists. 

The Serbian international came into the tournament with doubts over his fitness after picking up a hamstring injury at the Adelaide Championship. However, Djokovic has been flawless since the tournament began, dropping just one set with his thigh heavily strapped. 

Rublev was supposed to provide a kind of challenge, but he had no answers to Djokovic’s brilliant tennis on the day. 

The Serbian World No 5 showed his intent from the start, winning five consecutive games after both players held their first service games to seal the first set 6-1. 

Although Rublev did manage to hold in his first two service games, the second set followed a similar pattern to the first as Djokovic broke Rublev’s serve multiple times to take it 6-2. 

Rublev managed to keep the third set competitive, but the outcome was the same, as Djokovic broke for a 2-0 lead before going on to serve out a 6-1 6-2 6-4 win. 

The win is his 26th consecutive victory at the Australian Open, equalling Andre Agassi’s record at down under. 

He is also just two semifinals away from equalling Roger Federer's 46 semi-final appearances in a major 

Djokovic will now meet America’s Tommy Paul in the semi-final as he aims to win a record-equalling 22nd grand slam title and a tenth title in Australia. 

He is the only grand slam winner left in the draw, and with the way he is playing right now, it would take a miracle for any of the other three to stop him.