Lleyton Hewitt’s run through the Australian Open is over, but not without giving world No.1 Novak Djokovic a post-midnight wake-up call.

Hewitt was blown away by Djokovic in the opening two sets on Rod Laver Arena, before fighting back to win the third.

But defending champion Djokovic raised his game further to eventually win 6-1 6-3 4-6 6-3 in two hours and 56 minutes to book a quarter-final berth.

Hewitt had no early answers to the Serbian star’s dominance, Djokovic starting late Monday night as he had in his opening three matches, where he dropped just ten games.

Two sets up, Djokovic raced away to a 3-0 third set lead and Hewitt’s obituary was being written.

But the 30-year-old, who entered the tournament with injury concerns and little recent tennis, showed remarkable resolve; his heart pinned to his sleeve, Australia’s hopes on his shoulders.

This has been Hewitt’s default position at the Australian Open for a decade and a half and it wasn’t about to change at two sets down and past midnight local time.

He won six of the next seven games, serving out the set to take it into a fourth.

After a fascinating struggle through the early part of the set, Djokovic eventually broke Hewitt to go 4-2 up and eventually closed out the match just after 1am Melbourne time.

Djokovic will now play Spaniard David Ferrer after the fifth seed brushed aside Frenchman Richard Gasquet in straight sets on Monday.

Hewitt was the last remaining Australian in the singles draw.