Novak Djokovic hits a return during the men's singles 3rd round match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

MELBOURNE, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- World number four Novak Djokovic showed no ill-effects on Saturday after tumbling to the court in a nasty fall as he clinched a record 400th grand slam win after downing Botic van de Zandschulp in the Australian Open third round.

Djokovic, a 24-time grand slam champion, has yet to lose a set but he did have some concern in his 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4) in two hours and 44 minutes.

In the night session at Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic fell awkwardly early in the third set and he subsequently had his right ankle taped up.

The 38-year-old powered on and continued to showcase astonishing athleticism, defying his advancing age as he fought back after being down a break to wrap up the match on a tiebreak.

"Really good," Djokovic said about his body. "I'm not getting ahead of myself and I'm still hanging in there."

The Serb was fortunate after almost hitting a ball kid while smashing the ball away, which could have led to a possible disqualification as happened to him in similar circumstances at the 2020 US Open.

Djokovic will next face 16th seed Jakub Mensik or Ethan Quinn in the fourth round. ■

Novak Djokovic hits a return during the men's singles 3rd round match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

Botic van de Zandschulp hits a return during the men's singles 3rd round match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)

Novak Djokovic celebrates winning the men's singles 3rd round match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24, 2026. (Photo by Wang Shen/Xinhua)