Djokovic ready for Wawrinka at the Open

Novak Djokovic is prepared for another five-hour match with Stanislas Wawrinka after the two shared 2013's longest match at the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic in action at the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic (pic) will play Stanislas Wawrinka in the quarter-finals at the Australian Open. (AAP)

All jokes aside, Novak Djokovic knows another five-hour marathon against Stanislas Wawrinka would be no laughing matter.

The two played the longest match of the tournament last year in the fourth round, with Djokovic edging the fifth set 12-10 at 1.41am en route to his third straight Australian Open triumph.

There could barely be a starker contrast to his most recent success, a 6-3 6-0 6-2 demolition job over Italian 15th seed Fabio Fognini.

The Open favourite and world No.2 who was off court within two hours for the fourth straight match at Melbourne Park - had to fight to supress laughter during the fourth-round match with his old friend and tour clown Fognini.

"It was funny," he said, "but you cannot get carried away too much. You can lose focus so easily on the court."

"Anything can distract you. Tennis is such a mental game.

"Everything happens fast. In one or two points you can lose a break and the match can turn around."

"As soon as you step on the court, it's all business."

Djokovic can draw great strength from two extraordinary streaks for Tuesday's match with Wawrinka - a 28-match winning run dating back to last year's US Open final, and an eight-year domination over Wawrinka across 14 matches.

That's on top of the three straight titles for Djokovic has claimed at Melbourne Park, although he isn't allowing his quarter-final to be presented as a fait accompli.

"I have to be ready to play another 12-10 in the fifth like last year. He's playing the tennis of his life in last 15 months," he said.

Wawrinka is on an seven-match winning streak of his own after claiming the Chennai title before heading to Melbourne, with coach Magnus Norman saying he was in career-best form.

The Swiss No.2, who benefited from a third-round walkover, was also happier with shorter matches.

"For sure, it's better not spending too much time on the court than spending four hours every match," he said.

"I had five sets against him last year here and five sets in the US Open. But I didn't win."

"I didn't find the solution to beat him."

"He's one of the toughest players to beat, especially in grand slam. It's going to be really tough, but I will try again."


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Source: AAP


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