Australian Open 2012 live stream

For the briefest of moments, Novak Djokovic looked worried. It’s not an expression that passes the Serb’s face very often these days.

He is Mr Confidence, Mr Always Comes Out On Top. At least, he was in 2011. And has been in 2012, by and large.

Until an Australian by the name of Lleyton Hewitt dared to come along and mess with that mindsight. Only for a wee while, mind. But it happened.

Cruise-lining along with a two sets-to-love lead and a break in the third set of their fourth round on Rod Laver Arena on Monday night, the defending champion looked to have done more than enough to assure his place in the quarterfinals.

But he was briefly undone by the persistence of a man who knows the clock is ticking, a man who more than many will fight for every last ball. That man, Hewitt, managed to grab the third set before going down 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to the world No.1.

Shaking his head in disbelief, the way opponents usually do when they play him, rather than vice versa, Djokovic saw this backwards-cap wearing 30-year-old buzzing around at the opposite end, and refusing to stop hitting the ball.

Seeing the first set he’s lost all tournament snatched away from him like the playground bully swipes the best chocolate brownie, Djokovic sat down in his chair, and breathed very deeply.

“This is something you can expect from Lleyton who is very well-known for his fighting spirit,” Djokovic said reflectively. “I should have closed it out earlier.  I should have held my serve in 3-1, because I was playing well, I was feeling well.  Suddenly I stopped.  I didn't move well anymore.  He got back into the match. But he had the crowd, he had the big support.  It got intense.”

But there’s a reason that this particular Serb was able to sustain a run of 43 straight wins last year. Shaking off the set in his black Tacchini gear, the world No.1 came out to serve in the fourth, raised his game, and fear-handed his way to the win, 55 winners setting him apart from the Australian in the end.

Will being forced to dig a little deeper this evening stand Djokovic in better stead for his next encounter on Wednesday? No doubt. There’s no oomph like being forced to come up with something extra.

“You must expect that you experience some lows, as well, you know, not only highs,” Djokovic said. “It's good that you experience these things, you know, bad games, bad movements at this stage of the tournament, prior to the quarterfinals now. ”

Next for the Serb is a similar warrior, another human wall, just a few years younger. David Ferrer may lack the potency of Hewitt’s attack, but he will run longer, will run harder. He hasn’t got a gammy foot, for one.

“In my eyes David Ferrer and every player, especially the ones from the top, are great competitors and I have lots of respect towards them,” Djokovic said.  “I think sometimes they're underrated, you know.  Especially Ferrer, who has been so consistent, he's been a top-five player for a long time.”

So for anyone who thinks Djokovic is that little bit vulnerable, beware.

“Even tonight I played for most of the match a great game,” Djokovic said.  “There are some things that obviously I want to work on, I want to get better for the next round.

“But, I cannot underestimate any opponent.  You know, I have to stay dedicated and stay focused.  As long as it's like that, I think I'm on the right path.”

Safe to say, he’s only going to get better.