Novak Djokovic wanted to reassure himself. After starting the tournament in diesel mode against Nishesh Basavareddy (4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2), the man with 24 Grand Slam titles faced Jaime Faria, a Portuguese player from qualifying, for a place in the third round of the Australian Open.
Impressive against Pavel Kotov in the previous round (6-1, 6-1, 7-5), the world number 125 at the start of this tournament pushed Djokovic to a 3-hour match.
In control in the first set, the Serb saw his opponent win the decisive game of the second set.
Despite everything, Djokovic did not necessarily tremble in the next two sets and won in four sets (6-1, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2), as in his first round.
More consistent than his opponent (32 winners for 33 unforced errors, 13 aces and 2 double faults), Djokovic can still dream of an eleventh crown in Melbourne.
However, the level will rise in the third round.
Djokovic will face Tomas Machac, 25th player in the world. The Czech emerged victorious from a fight lasting almost 3h30 against Reilly Opelka (3-6, 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4).
The latter, who beat Djokovic in Brisbane at the start of the season, will therefore not find the Serbian for a place in the round of 16.
Djokovic and Machac faced each other twice (1-1 in the confrontations). During their last clash in Geneva last year, it was Machac who won in three rounds.
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