The day after he narrowly avoided disqualification after whacking a ball inches from a ball kid’s head, Novak Djokovic received another hefty slice of luck as his next opponent Jakub Mensik withdrew, ushering the 10-time champion through to the quarter-finals.
Mensik beat Djokovic last year in the final of the Miami Open and would have been a severe test.
Instead, the Serb can put his 38-year-old feet up and await the winner of today’s match between Lorenzo Musetti and Taylor Fritz.
Mensik revealed to followers on Instagram on Sunday morning that he had been advised not to play in the match by medical professionals after having suffered an abdominal muscle injury.
‘This is a tough one to write,’ Mensik wrote on Instagram on Sunday.
‘After doing everything we could to keep going, I have to withdraw from the Australian Open due to an abdominal muscle injury that has progressed over the last [few] matches.
‘After a long discussion with my team and doctors, we [have] decided not to step on court tomorrow.
‘Even though I’m disappointed, making the 4th round here for the first time is something I will carry with me for a long time. I felt so much energy from the fans and the atmosphere in Melbourne was truly special.
‘Thank you to my team for being with me every step, and to everyone sending messages and cheering – it means more than you know.
‘Now it’s time to recover properly.’
More to follow…
