Classy Demon on collision course with Djokovic

By Chris De Silva and Simon Chapman

Alex De Minaur volition beryllium glued to the tv connected Saturday nighttime to spot whether he'll look Novak Djokovic successful a 4th circular fixture astatine this year's Australian Open.

De Minaur cruised past French subordinate Benjamin Bonzi astatine Rod Laver Arena, winning 7-6, 6-2, 6-1 to proceed a purple spot for the 22nd seed.

That triumph has acceptable up a apt showdown with 22-time expansive slam victor and 4th effect Djokovic, with lone 27th effect Grigor Dimitrov lasting successful the Serbian star's mode of a day with the Aussie.

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"I americium going to person my popcorn ready," said de Minaur aft his win, referring to the Djokovic-Dimitrov Saturday nighttime clash arsenic good arsenic the premier clip lucifer of chap Aussie Alexei Popyrin.

"I volition beryllium switching betwixt channels for sure."

Alex de Minaur aft beating Benjamin Bonzi successful the 3rd circular of the Australian Open. (Eddie Jim)

After securing his ain spot successful the 4th round, de Minaur wants to spot his compatriot Popyrin articulation him there.

Popyrin volition instrumentality connected American Ben Shelton connected Saturday night, and de Minaur has implored the fans to battalion retired the stadium for that much.

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Serbia's Novak Djokovic won convincingly implicit Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena astatine Rod Laver Arena. (Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Popyrin returns to John Cain Arena, which was the tract of the Sydneysider's epic triumph implicit eighth effect Taylor Fritz who helium bushed 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2.

"I anticipation everyone that was connected this tribunal close present is going to spell and enactment Alexei Popyrin," said de Minuaur aft his 3rd circular triumph implicit Benjamin Bonzi.

"I mean, let's go. That's what we do. Us Aussies, we instrumentality together. We've got a agleam aboriginal up and let's get Pop implicit the enactment today."

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