Novak Djokovic guaranteed to return to world No. 1 if he wins Australian Open

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

Serbian tennis superstar Novak Djokovic now has it all in his hands after a Rafael Nadal quarterfinal loss as he is guaranteed to return to world No. 1 if he wins the Australian Open title. Nadal, seeded at No. 1, was sent packing out of Melbourne Park by world No.

5 Dominic Thiem as he Austrian delivered a huge performance to stun the Spaniard 7-6 (3) 7-6 (4) 4-6 7-6 (6). Nadal, 33, started the Australian Open with just over 500 points ahead of Djokovic as he has 10235 points, while the Serb has 9720 points.

The Spaniard was in the better position to keep the No. 1 spot after the Australian Open as Djokovic has a large points to defend at Melbourne Park since he won the title at the tournament last year. Djokovic, seeded at No.

2, is two wins away from winning his record eighth Australian Open as he is to battle against world No. 3 Roger Federer for a place in this year's final at Melbourne Park. If Djokovic beats Federer, his opponent in the final would be either Thiem or No. 7 seed Alexander Zverev.