Novak Djokovic's tennis matches often provide fireworks - and on Friday night at the Adelaide International it was literally the case.

The Serbian superstar, 35, was on court in his quarter-final against Canadian Denis Shapovalov when the pyrotechnics went off.

Officials didn't orchestrate the display from a nearby river, and were scrambling for answers as play was altered for nearly 10 minutes early in the first set.

Djokovic called on all his experience to win in straight sets, and improve his career record against Shapovalov to 8-0.

Next for Djokovic is a Saturday showdown with big serving Russian Daniil Medvedev, a replay of the Australian Open final from last January.

'Normally when you play Daniil you have to be ready to go the distance - he's definitely one of the best players in the world for the last five years,' Djokovic said.

'He's established himself, he's a grand slam winner, a former No. 1 in the world so he's someone that I respect a lot.

'We've had some amazing battles over the years (and) we're hoping for another good battle (on Saturday).'

Djokovic holds an 8-4 career record against Medvedev and is on a three-match run against the Russian.

Medvedev's last win against Djokovic came at the 2021 US Open.

Medvedev knows he will be the underdog and is looking to build some momentum ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 16.

'Playing against (the likes of) Rafa and Novak is always a privilege,' Medvedev said. 

'Every time I have this chance, I want to win. I want to try to do my best.'

Friday night also saw Alexei Popyrin's impressive run in the City of Churches come to an end.

Buoyed after his win over No. 2 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime earlier this week, Aussie young gun Popyrin had his chances, but in the end came up short versus Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka in three sets.

Popyrin, ranked 120 in the world, will now turn his attention to Melbourne Park, where he has been granted a wildcard.