Novak Djokovic continued his quest for a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title on Wednesday, overcoming a tough challenge from Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria to secure a spot in the third round of the Australian Open. Despite a difficult second set, Djokovic rallied to win 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 in a match that showcased both his resilience and adaptability on court.
The victory was historic for Djokovic, as it saw him surpass Roger Federer’s record for most Grand Slam matches played, with 430 matches to his name. Reflecting on his achievement, Djokovic recalled his early memories of tennis, saying, “When I was a kid, the first image I had of tennis was watching the Wimbledon final at four or five years old. Grand slams are definitely the most important tournament in the world in our sport. I’m just blessed to be making another record today.”
Djokovic had previously struggled in his first-round match against 19-year-old wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy, overcoming an early deficit before asserting control physically. On Wednesday, he faced a similar challenge from Faria, a 21-year-old making his Grand Slam debut after coming through the qualifiers. Faria, who had defeated his first-round opponent in straight sets, made an immediate impact by displaying his powerful serve and athleticism. He fought back from a 5-2 deficit in the second set to win it in a tiebreak.
However, Djokovic responded swiftly, regaining dominance in the third set and never relinquishing it, comfortably winning the fourth set. By the end of the match, Djokovic was in high spirits, joking with his new coach, Andy Murray, and sharing a lighthearted moment with the crowd.
“Towards the end of the second set, beginning of the third, I had to weather the storm,” Djokovic said of his opponent. “He was practically serving two first serves the entire match. Not easy to play someone like that who doesn’t have anything to lose. He’s a big guy, very young, so I told him at the net that the future is bright for him.”
Earlier in the day, Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the third round with a dominant 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka. The match lasted just 81 minutes, with Alcaraz serving 14 aces and dropping only four points on his first serve. After the win, Alcaraz humorously asked the crowd, “Am I a servebot?” on the camera screen.
In the women’s draw, Naomi Osaka marked a significant milestone in her comeback from maternity leave with a thrilling 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory over 20th seed Karolína Muchová. After losing the opening five games, Osaka bounced back with two strong sets, showcasing her powerful baseline game and impressive serving. Osaka will next face Belinda Bencic, who also made a successful return from maternity leave, defeating Suzan Lamens 6-1, 7-6(3).
“I love it. I love playing the big opponents. I think that’s where I play my best tennis,” Osaka said after the win. “The clash of two titans is always interesting, and I think the fans appreciate it, and I also appreciate it as a player.”
In a major upset, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, the fifth seed and last year’s Australian Open finalist, was knocked out by Germany’s Laura Siegemund, who triumphed 7-6 (3), 6-3. Meanwhile, top seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka advanced with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-5 win over Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
As the tournament progresses, Djokovic, Alcaraz, Osaka, and Sabalenka all continue to stake their claims for the prestigious title, with each match bringing more exciting developments.
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