One other three hour battle for Nole. One other victory.
Novak Djokovic continues to create historical past and break information. On Wednesday, he grew to become the participant with probably the most Grand Slam Singles matches performed within the Open Period (430).
“I like this sport. I like competitors,” Djokovic mentioned when informed of that milestone. “I attempt to give my greatest each single time. It’s been over 20 years that I’ve been competing in Grand Slams on the highest stage. Whether or not I win or lose one factor is for certain: I’ll all the time depart my coronary heart out on the court docket.”
For the second straight match on the 2025 Australian Open, the Serbian star was pushed to 4 units.
Grand Slam debutant Jaime Faria performed like he had nothing to lose, however Novak withstood the barrage and gained 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 to succeed in the third spherical in Melbourne.
Novak took the opening set simply, breaking twice. Nevertheless, the 21-year-old Portuguese qualifier fought again bravely to win the second set in a tie-break and stage the competition.
Novak’s return was getting higher because the match went on. With coach Andy Murray urging him to maneuver ahead and take management of the court docket, Nole shifted the match again in his course.
He confronted only one break level within the third and fourth units, profitable 90 per cent of his first serve factors in these units to shut out the victory.
“I feel I responded very properly within the third and notably fourth set, the way in which I ended the match,” mentioned Djokovic. “He was enjoying lights-out tennis in direction of the tip of the second set and starting of the third. I needed to climate the storm. He’s been virtually serving two first serves your complete match. It’s not straightforward to play somebody like that who doesn’t have clearly something to lose popping out. He’s an enormous man, very younger. So I informed him on the web, the long run is shiny for him, he ought to preserve going.”
Match statistics: aces (14-14), double faults (2-6), winners (33-38), unforced errors (33-52), whole factors gained (128-92).
Subsequent up for Novak shall be a third-round assembly with twenty sixth seed from Czech Republic, Tomas Machac (1-1).
Picture: Profimedia
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