Novak Djokovic begins quest for 11th Australian Open and 25th Grand Slam title with stunning win | Tennis News
Novak Djokovic opened his quest for an 11th Australian Open title and a record 25th Grand Slam with an impressive first-round display in Melbourne on Monday.
The fourth seed brushed aside Spain’s Pedro Martinez 6-3 6-2 6-2 at the Rod Laver Arena as he recorded a historic 100th Grand Slam win.
Djokovic lost just three points in his first game in the entire match as he worked in a clinic.
“It’s nice to come back. This is definitely my favorite stadium, it has given me a lot,” said the Serbian player who will play in the qualifying match against Italy. Francesco Maestrelli in the second round.
“I’m trying to bring it back as much as possible in 20-plus years and I hope you guys enjoy the tennis tonight.”
On his 100th win at the Australian Open, Djokovic said: “What can I say? I love the sound of it. Being the boss is a great feeling.
“I always give my best whenever I’m on the court. Making history is a big motivation – and especially in the last five, 10 years of my career.
“I’m blessed to be playing at this level and to win again tonight is a dream come true.”
Just by taking the court, Djokovic equaled Roger Federer’s all-time singles records when he played for 21st place in Melbourne and 81st overall at a Grand Slam, one shared with Spain’s Feliciano Lopez.
It has been 20 years since Djokovic lost in the opening round of a major and that run was never in jeopardy here as he cruised past 71st-ranked Martinez.
Djokovic, supported by former Melbourne Victory Spanish midfielder Juan Mata, had not played a match since November 9, and has struggled to negotiate slams in recent years, but this was a clean and controlled match.
Daniel Medvedev He overcame Melbourne heat and news to serve Jesper de Jong 7-5 6-2 7-6 (7-2) in the first round.
The 11th seed, fresh from winning the title in Brisbane, came out on top after a topsy-turvy opening set that included five breaks as both players struggled with their delivery on the Margaret Court Arena.
“The conditions felt slow, so we were both getting a lot of separation,” said Medvedev, a three-time runner-up at Melbourne Park.
“It’s warm, but I felt good and I think he was probably struggling a little more than I was. I hope it’s not worse than what we’ve been feeling here. Sure, a little ice bath isn’t bad after a warm game.”
Medvedev, playing FrenchQuentin Halys in the second round, he added: “When I’m playing well I’m aggressive and when I’m playing badly, I’m defensive,” said Medvedev.
“He was also very behind the baseline. A lot of times I was able to move him to the net. Sometimes I could be a little clinical.
“The first round is not easy, so I hope to be better in the next rounds.”
Wawrinka and Cilic turn back the clock
Marin Cilic, 37 years old, won the first 12 games with little tension to dispel the hype of the Grand Slam main draw ‘three badge’.
Former Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka turned back the clock to come from a layup to beat unseeded Serb Laslo Djere 5-7 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4), while Marin Cilic and fly the flag veterans with brutal performance.
Wawrinka, 40, who claimed his three Grand Slam titles under the reign of Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic, is making his final appearance at Melbourne Park as a wild card after announcing that 2026 will be his last season on tour.
“It’s been a long journey, it’s been amazing with so many memories here. It’s been amazing. The reason I came back is because of your love. [fans] give me,” Wawrinka said dejectedly.
“It’s my last year. The passion is still there but I’m not young anymore. Today was amazing, it’s very special for me to enter the court and the Grand Slam. It’s the reason I train hard with my team every off-season and every day – to have the chance to compete with the best players in the world.”
Former Australian Open finalist Cilic looked in fine form as he defeated Germany’s Daniel Altmaier 6-0 6-0 7-6 (7-3) earlier.
The 37-year-old won his first 12 matches without much fanfare to spark talk of a Grand Slam main draw ‘triple bagel’, achieved by only five players in the professional era, the last being Sergi Bruguera at the 1993 French Open.
A ‘triple bagel’ wins a match in three sets without dropping a match.
FAA makes early exit from Australian Open due to cramp
Jacob Fearnley was beaten by Pole Kamil Majchrzak
Felix Auger-Aliassime he was left scratching his head after his hopes were dashed by a first-round tie.
The Canadian player is the first in the top ten at Melbourne Park, and he did not come to the end of his collision with Nuno Borges from Portugal, leaving them trailing 3-6 6-4 6-4.
Auger-Aliassime was desperate for a good run at Melbourne Park as she reached the semi-finals of the US Open during a superb second half last season.
“I don’t have all the answers right now,” said the seventh seed. “I try to be the best in everything I do.
“Obviously it hurts more because if I knew myself and said, ‘well, I wasn’t really ready,’ or I wasn’t doing everything, you have to be honest with yourself.
“But, even if I’m being honest with myself, I don’t really get the reasons why this happened. I don’t remember this at all in my life. [happening this] at the beginning of the tournament, this is at the beginning of the game.”
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Felix Auger-Aliassime stunned Alexander Zverev at the US Open with a masterclass
Auger-Aliassime was clearly struggling with her left thigh and, after calling the trainer, played just two points in the fourth set before shaking hands.
“I want to be in court and win,” he said of his decision. “I want to be on the court competing with my opponent. I don’t want to just stand there like a punching bag.”
Fearnley lost in a tough competition
Jacob Fearnley was beaten by Pole Kamil Majchrzak
Britain’s Jacob Fearnley crashed out in the first round as his difficult season continued.
The Scot, who reached the third round for the first time last year, was beaten 7-6 (7-2) 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-3) by the Pole. Kamil Majchrzak.
Fearnley was not helped by falling hard in the fifth game of the fourth set when he broke, after which Majchrzak broke again.
“I slipped, the ankle twisted and then the hip, the ankle, the knee went down – the hip I think is just a bruise but the ankle is really sore right now,” said Fearnley. “I hope it’s nothing [serious].”
Having broken into the top 50 in the world less than a year out of college, Fearnley is likely to slip back into the top 100.
“I need to be more confident, take myself back a little bit, just play better,” he added.
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