Novak Djokovic overcame a challenging match to reach the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday, securing a 6-1, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-2 victory over Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria. In doing so, he set a new record for the most Grand Slam singles matches played, surpassing Roger Federer with his 430th match in the Open era. Djokovic’s win also extended his streak of reaching the third round at Melbourne for 17 consecutive years, underscoring his dominance in the sport.
The 37-year-old Serb, who is eyeing his 11th Australian Open title and a record 25th Grand Slam crown, began the match confidently, winning the opening set in just 30 minutes. However, Faria, ranked 125th, pushed back in the second set, capitalizing on Djokovic’s frustration and taking the set to a tiebreaker. The young Portuguese player rallied and won the set, but Djokovic regrouped in the third and fourth sets, dominating the match after the stadium roof was closed due to rain, eventually sealing the win.
Reflecting on his achievement, Djokovic expressed his love for the sport and competition, noting that the milestone was a testament to his enduring passion and commitment to the game. He praised Faria's performance, acknowledging the young player’s potential, while emphasizing his own determination to continue striving for success in future tournaments.
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