World No.1 Novak Djokovic has survived a taxing fourth-round clash with rising star Daniil Medvedev to edge closer to a seventh Australian Open title.

In a grinding encounter on Rod Laver Arena that stretched into the early hours of Tuesday morning, Djokovic outlasted his 22-year-old opponent to claim a hard-fought 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-3 victory in three hours and 15 minutes.

The Serb will face Japan’s Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals and is on course for a potential championship showdown with longtime rival Rafael Nadal.