Vintage Djokovic mangles Machac to reach Melbourne fourth round

MELBOURNE, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic stepped up a level in his Australian Open third round match against Tomas Machac on Friday, brushing the Czech aside 6-1 6-4 6-4 with a vintage performance to reach the second week at Melbourne Park for the 17th time.

The 37-year-old seventh seed conceded sets to younger opponents in the first two rounds but the best world number 25 Muchac could muster up was a single break of serve at the start of the second set.

Djokovic broke straight back, called out the doctor then rattled off the next three games, which included a brilliant point which the Serbian won with a backhand crosscourt winner.

Machac beat the former world number one on clay in Geneva last year but struggled to get his game going on a cool evening on the Rod Laver Arena court where Djokovic has won 10 of his 24 Grand Slam titles.

The Czech had another look at Djokovic's...
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