Novak Djokovic battles past another Grand Slam debutant to reach the Australian Open third round | ATP Tour

Match Report

Djokovic battles past another Grand Slam debutant

Serbian beats Faria in four, next meets 26th seed Machac

January 15, 2025

For the second straight match of his Australian Open campaign, Novak Djokovic was pushed to four sets by a Grand Slam debutant. After beating 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy in the opening round, he battled past 21-year-old qualifier Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday to continue his quest for a 25th major singles title and 100th tour-level crown.

Like in his match against the American Basavareddy, Djokovic was stressed by his younger opponent but ultimately took command to run out a comfortable winner. A fast start staked the 37-year-old a lead of a set and a break, but a dip in form allowed Portugal’s Faria to rattle off four straight games to announce himself in Rod Laver Arena. Though Djokovic forced a tie-break, he could not stop the No. 125 in the PIF ATP Rankings from dictating with his serve and forehand to take the second set.

“I think I responded very well in the third and particularly fourth set, the way I ended the match,” said the Serbian. “He was playing lights-out Tennis towards the end of the second set and beginning of the third. I had to weather the storm. He’s been practically serving two first serves the entire match. It’s not easy to play someone like that who doesn’t have obviously anything to lose coming out. He’s a big guy, very young… so I told him at the net, the future is bright for him, he should keep going.”

With coach Andy Murray urging him to move forward and take control of the court, Djokovic quickly shifted the match back in his direction. He faced just one break point in the last two sets, according to Infosys Stats, winning 90 per cent of his first-serve points in those sets to close out the victory in three hours.

Next up for Djokovic will be a third-round meeting with 26th-seeded Czech Tomas Machac, a 3-6, 7-6(1), 6-7(5), 7-6(4), 6-4 winner against Reilly Opelka earlier on Wednesday. The pair split two previous Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings in 2023 and 2024, with Machac winning their most recent showdown in last year’s Geneva semi-finals. Both previous matchups went three sets, with Djokovic taking their first encounter in Dubai in a decisive tie-break.

The 10-time Australian Open champ is through to the Melbourne third round for the 17th time in 20 appearances. By contesting his 430th Grand Slam singles match, he passed Roger Federer to claim sole ownership of the all-time record for most major singles matches played among men and women.

“I love this sport. I love competition,” Djokovic said when told of that milestone. “I try to give my best every single time. It’s been over 20 years that I’ve been competing in Grand Slams at the highest level. Whether I win or lose one thing is for sure: I’ll always leave my heart out on the court.”

Djokovic is bidding to become the oldest player in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam title, a record that currently belongs to Ken Rosewall, who won the 1972 Australian Open at the age of 37 years and 62 days. At the end of this Melbourne fortnight, Djokovic will be 37 years and 249 days old.