Novak Djokovic vs. Fernando Verdasco: Score, Reaction from 2015 Australian Open

Novak Djokovic produced a superb performance to beat an impressive Fernando Verdasco 7-6 (8), 6-3, 6-4 in the Australian Open third round on Saturday and move serenely through to the last 16 to face Gilles Muller.

After Djokovic took a mammoth first set in a tiebreak, he kicked on to win the next two sets in clinical fashion despite a spirited and excellent performance from his opponent.

With Roger Federer out of the tournament and Rafael Nadal looking vulnerable, Djokovic proved on Saturday that he is very much the man to beat as he goes for a fifth Melbourne title.

Djokovic paid tribute to Verdasco in the post-match on-court interview with Jim Courier, per The Guardian:

"

Credit to Fernando, it was a great match. Fernando is a top-10 player, he has played in the final stages of grand slams and big tournaments. He has big power in his game. Every time I had an opportunity for the break he came up with a service winner or an ace and obviously it was frustrating but I had to keep it together and the difference was made in the first set when I won the tie-break.

"

Verdasco and Djokovic both hit top gear from the very start of the match, with the Spaniard pulling out some of his best serving to stay in the opening set.

Verdasco did brilliantly to hold his serve throughout the set, saving six break points in total.

Michael Dodge/Getty Images

However, he was given little chance on Djokovic's serve, the world No. 1 dropping just four points throughout the opener.

A tiebreak was required to divide the pair after an incredible opening set and, although Djokovic had been the better player, Verdasco took the initiative.

He forced the first mini break and, at 5-3 on his own serve, had the opportunity to claim three set points before seemingly being distracted and throwing down a bizarre double fault for what would be a key turning point, per Live Tennis:

"

Is this the worst second serve you've ever seen (when leading the world #1 in a tiebreak)? https://t.co/eRvKprsLwK (via @tjc05) #Verdasco

— Live Tennis (@livetennis) January 24, 2015"

Djokovic eventually took the tiebreak 10-8 after spurning three earlier set points, but Verdasco certainly had his chances to take the opener as well.

Early in the second set, it looked as though Djokovic may run away from his 31-year-old opponent as he finally broke to go 2-0 up.

However, the four-time Australian Open champion offered up three break points to his opponent in the very next game as he went 0-40 down, but three consecutive aces meant Djokovic maintained the momentum.

He held the break throughout the second set and, despite Verdasco's best efforts, the Serbian took the set with relative ease leaving his opponent effectively down and out, per ESPN Tennis:

"

Djokovic serves out 2nd set, take 2 sets to 0 lead over Verdasco. Top seed is 131-1 when winning 1st 2 sets in Majors pic.twitter.com/j1OprWIBvU

— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) January 24, 2015"

There was a splendid atmosphere inside the Rod Laver Arena on Saturday, with Djokovic acknowledging the crowd who were enjoying an excellent encounter, per the Australian Open:

It is a mark of just how impressive Djokovic played that Verdasco can have barely any regrets having put in a stunning performance despite not taking a single set.

The Spaniard threw down a string of fantastic serves throughout the match and managed to maintain an impressively high level right until the end.

However, Djokovic was, in the main, at his inimitable best, producing consistently fantastic ground strokes along with some deft touches and his unrivalled athleticism.

He broke Verdasco in the fifth game of the third set to effectively wrap things up and move himself into the last 16 of the competition.

Although Verdasco, to his great credit, remained more than competitive, he could do nothing to threaten Djokovic's serve and the Serb eventually won the final set 6-4 to complete the win in 140 minutes.