Novak Djokovic was pushed to four sets by a Grand Slam debutant, Jaime Faria. This is Djokovic’s second straight match at the Australian Open, battling debutants.
The Serb beat 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy in the opening round before battling past 21-year-old qualifier Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday.
The 37-year-old Djokovic was stressed by his younger opponent but ultimately took command to run out a comfortable winner. A fast start staked for the 24-time grand slam winner 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 tiebreak, 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 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.”
Djokovic quickly shifted the match back in his direction after new coach Andy Murray urged him to move forward and take control of the court.
He faced just one break point in the last two sets, according to Infosys Stats, winning 90 percent of his first-serve points in those sets to close out the victory in three hours.
With his 430th appearance, Novak Djokovic became the player with the most Grand Slam singles matches played in the Open Era after Roger Federer with 429 apps and Serena Williams, who had 423 appearances before her retirement last season.
Djokovic will continue his quest for a 25th major singles title and 100th tour-level crown when he next meets 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.
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