Dellacqua aims to extend Aussie Open run

Australia’s Casey Dellacqua has the chance to reach a grand slam quarter-final for the first time when she takes on Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard on Sunday night.

Dellacqua, 28, has already equalled her best major performance by reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open, matching her 2008 run at Melbourne Park.

She has made an impressive start to the tournament, beating Russian former world No.2 Vera Zvonareva, Belgian 18th seed Kirsten Flipkens and China’s 2010 semi-finalist Zheng Jie, all convincingly in straight sets.

Sunday night’s match will be Dellacqua’s first meeting with 19-year-old Bouchard.

The Canadian is playing the Australian Open for the first time and has already achieved her career-best grand slam result by reaching the fourth round.

Earlier on Sunday, world No.1 Serena Williams will meet Serbian 2008 finalist Ana Ivanovic.

Ivanovic, the 14th seed, came from a set down to beat Australia’s Samantha Stosur in the third round, to leave Dellacqua as the last Australian in men’s or women’s singles.

Men’s four-time champion Novak Djokovic will seek to extend his 24-match winning streak at Melbourne Park when he meets Italian 15th seed Fabio Fognini.

Djokovic has won all six of their previous meetings.

If the Serb beats the Italian, he could potentially face Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka in the quarter-finals.

Djokovic survived a marathon five-setter against Wawrinka in the fourth round last year, winning 12-10 in the fifth set.

To set up another meeting, Wawrinka will have to beat Spanish 17th seed Tommy Robredo on Sunday night.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!