Australian Open: Novak Djokovic Ward-Off Taylor Fritz's Scare To Reach Fourth Round

Novak Djokovic fought through a five-setter third-round to defeat American opponent Taylor Fritz and advanced to the Round of 16 as he continued to vie for his ninth title in Melbourne.  

Taylor could not make most of the injury sustained by the defending champion in the third set to claim a stunning victory in a rally but was overcome in the decider by Djokovic who break back-to-back to claim the set and outlasted the American by 7-6(1), 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2 during a match that lasted for almost three and half hours. 

Djokovic later acknowledged having to fight through abdominal pain in the fourth set that could have cost him the match and Taylor as well confessed the world number proved the kind of player that he is in the decider despite his desire to beat. 

"It's so tough. I fought so hard and wanted it so bad, and it's just really tough to go out like that," said Taylor. "I have to give credit. He was really good in the fifth set."

The 17-time Grand Slam titlist improved by 78-8 in Melbourne and he is set to equal the record set by Rafael Nadal for the second all-time biggest Grand Slam title winner. He will face in the next round Milos Raonic.