Australian Open: Novak Djokovic romps into quarter-finals

Defending champion Novak Djokovic reached his 19th straight Grand Slam quarter-final with an easy straight-sets victory over Italian Fabio Fognini at the Australian Open on Sunday. (Click here for all the updates on Australian Open)

The Serbian second seed coasted to a 6-3, 6-0, 6-2 victory over the 15th-seeded Fognini in one hour 33 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic, who is bidding for a fifth Australian title and his seventh Grand Slam, stretched his unbeaten match run to 28 since his US Open triumph in New York last September. (Serena knocked out by Ivanovic)

He will face either Swiss eighth seed Stanislas Wawrinka or 17th-seeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo in the quarters. (Also read: Li Na races into quarters)

In a one-sided contest, Djokovic broke Fognini's service six times from 22 break point opportunities and hit 33 winners past the at times lackadaisical Italian.

Djokovic, who has been friends with Fognini since their junior playing days in Europe, maintained his focus as the Italian played to the crowd and performed with little intensity.

"At the end of the day we are both professionals and once we step on the court we want to win the match regardless who is across the net," Djokovic said. (Pennetta makes her first Australian Open quarters)

"Of course it is a bit different feeling when your opponent is a long-time friend and obviously I wanted to laugh at his jokes but on the other hand I didn't want to lose any concentration and it was very important to stay focused until the end."

Djokovic said he played a great match and didn't allow Fognini to take control of the rallies. He now leads the Italian 7-0 in their encounters.

It will be Djokovic's seventh straight quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open and extends his unbeaten run to 25 matches at Melbourne Park.

Djokovic is looking to become just the second man behind Roy Emerson to win four consecutive Australian Open titles.