The 19-year-old Novak Djokovic set the 2007 Australian Open fourth-round clash against world no. 1 Roger Federer. Novak won the Adelaide title at the start of the season and collected nine straight victories ahead of the clash with the world's best players.

The young Serb was ready to challenge the most formidable rival, confident about his game and abilities. Djokovic proved himself as one of the youngsters to beat in 2006, starting the season from outside the top-70 and concluding it in the top-20.

After reaching the first Major quarter-final in Paris, Djokovic claimed his first ATP title in Amersfoort in July and lifted another in Metz, settling into the top-20 and setting even higher goals for 2007. Following a productive off-season, Novak won the title in Adelaide, the first one in the round-robin system that would stay on the ATP Tour only until March.

Novak Djokovic met Roger Federer in the 2007 Australian Open fourth round.


Thus, he headed to Melbourne as one of the dark horses despite early exits at the Australian Open in 2005 and 2006. Djokovic lost two games against Nicolas Massu in the opening round to gain confidence.

He struggled a bit in the second set against Feliciano Lopez before sealing the deal in straight sets to find himself in the third round. Djokovic toppled Danai Udomchoke 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 in two hours and 45 minutes. The young gun controlled the pace with seven breaks and missed an opportunity to deliver another victory in straight sets.

Novak served for the third before Udomchoke bounced back to steal and stay alive. Nonetheless, the Serb was too strong in set number four, arranging the clash against Roger Federer and hoping to beat the Swiss for the first time after two losses in 2006.

"Facing Roger Federer in the next round is a big challenge; I'm looking forward to it. I played against him twice last year on different surfaces in the Davis Cup and Monte Carlo. I lost both of those, but it's o.k, I gathered a lot of experience from them.


Everybody often follows him and knows his game; he makes everything look easy. The players ask themselves, is there a way we can see his weak points? I have nine wins in a row and will not stop just because it is Federer on the other side of the net.

I'm not giving up and want to play my best tennis and do everything to cross the finish line first. I will be there to win; that's my goal," Novak Djokovic said.