Australian Open Day Seven round-up: Novak Djokovic eases injury fears by defeating Milos Raonic while Dominic Thiem crashes out of the tournament

Novak Djokovic showed little sign of an abdominal muscle tear suffered in the third round to overcome 14th seed Milos Raonic 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 in two hours and 56 minutes.

The injury stopped the world no.1 from training prior to the match on Rod Laver Arena, but the Serbian showed his pedigree to continue his bid for an unprecedented ninth Australian Open title.

Djokovic discussed his fitness following his victory: “I had no preparation for this match tonight.

“I used every hour I had to recover since the Taylor match. My physio and those of the ATP and Australian Open gave me their best support to get on the court. I have definitely been fitter in the past but I will continue to take each day one at a time.”

The win means Djokovic has now become just the second man in history to have had 300 grand slam wins.

Djokovic will now face Alexander Zverev in the quarter finals after the German eased past Dusan Lajovic in straight-sets.

The other half of the men’s draw was full of surprise victories with the US Open champion and world no. 3 Dominic Thiem – losing in straight-sets against Grigor Dimitrov.

The 18th seed cruised to victory over Thiem winning 6-4, 6-4, 6-0 with the final set taking just 21 minutes.

Elsewhere, Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev mounted an astonishing comeback against 20th seed Felix Auger Aliassime recovering from a two-set deficit to win the match in five sets after 3 hours and 25 minutes on court.

The women’s draw was also full of drama as all but one of the matches went to the third and final set.

Serena Williams overcame seventh seed Aryna Sabalenka to continue her quest of a record extending 24th grand slam to three sets.

Her opponent in the quarter finals will be second seed Simona Halep who came from a set down to defeat Iga Swiatek.

The 2019 Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka managed to complete the same feat by coming from a set down to overcome Spain’s Garbine Muguruza 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 in one hour and 55 minutes.

Osaka will now face the world no.71 Hsieh Su-Wei who caused a major upset by winning in straight sets against the 19th seed Marketa Vondrousovai.

The only British player in action on day seven was Neal Skupski in the mixed doubles where him and his partner Andreja Klepac required a champions tiebreak to win against the Australian doubles pair of John Peers and Belinda Woolcock.