Novak Djokovic opened his quest for an 11th Australian Open title and a record 25th Grand Slam with an impressive first-round performance in Melbourne on Monday.
The fourth seed dismissed Spaniard Pedro Martinez with a devastating 6-3 6-2 6-2 performance on Rod Laver Arena as he recorded his milestone 100th Grand Slam victory.
Djokovic dropped just three points on his first serve of the entire match as he put on a service clinic.
“It’s great to be back. This is definitely my favorite court, which has given me a lot,” said the Serb, who will play in the Italian qualifying match. Francesco Maestrelli in the second round.
“I’m trying to give back to him as much as I can over the last 20-plus years and I hope you enjoyed your tennis tonight.”
Of his 100th Australian Open victory, Djokovic said: “What can I say? I like the sound of it. Being a centurion is a pretty nice feeling.
“I always give my best whenever I’m on the pitch. Making history is a big motivation – especially in the last five, 10 years of my career.
“I’m blessed to still be playing at this level and to claim another win tonight is obviously a dream come true.”
Just by stepping onto the court, Djokovic equaled Roger Federer’s all-time record with his 21st appearance in Melbourne and 81st Grand Slam overall, the last shared by Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.
It’s been 20 years since Djokovic last lost in the first round at a major and that streak was never in danger here as he escaped 71st Martinez.
Djokovic, backed by former Spain and current Melbourne midfielder Victoria Juan Mata, has not played a match since November 9, while in recent years he has struggled to negotiate the early rounds of a Slam tournament, but this was a clean and commanding performance.
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Daniil Medvedev completely destroyed his racket after losing to Benjamin Bonzi in a tense and dramatic match at the US Open
Daniil Medvedev overcame the Melbourne heat and serve problems to beat Jesper de Jong 7-5 6-2 7-6 (7-2) in the first round.
The 11th seed, who recently won the title in Brisbane, came out on top after a topsy-turvy opening set that featured five breaks of serve as both players struggled with their delivery on the Margaret Court Arena.
“The conditions were slow, so we were both spoiling each other’s serve a lot,” 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 bit more than me at the time. Hopefully it won’t be worse than what we felt here. Sure, a little ice bath never hurts after a hot match like this.”
Medvedev, who plays the FrenchQuentin Hallis added in the second round: “When I play well, I’m actually aggressive, and when I play bad, I become a little more defensive,” Medvedev said.
“He was way behind the baseline as well. I was able to move him a lot of times and even finish at the net. I could have been a little clinical at times.”
“The first round is never easy, so hopefully I can be more clinical in the next rounds.”
Wavrinka and Cilic turn back the clock
Marin Cilic, 37, won his first 12 games with minimal fanfare to spark chatter about a rare Grand Slam “triple bagel” main draw
Former Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka turned back the clock to come from a set down and defeated the unseeded Serbian Lasl Djere 5-7 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4), while Marin Cilic he also flew the flag for veterans with a more relentless performance.
Wawrinka, 40, who won his three Grand Slam titles during the golden era 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 final season on tour.
“It’s been a long journey, it’s been amazing with so many memories here. It’s been amazing. The only reason I’m back is because of the love you (the fans) give me,” said an emotional Wawrinka.
“This is my last year. The passion is still intact, but I’m not young anymore. Today was amazing, it’s so special for me to step on the court and to hit a grand slam. That’s why I train hard with my team every offseason and every day – to have the opportunity to compete with the best players in the world.
Former Australian Open finalist Cilic looked in top form after earlier beating Germany’s Daniel Altmaier 6-0 6-0 7-6 (7-3).
The towering 37-year-old won his first 12 matches with minimal fanfare to spark chatter about a rare Grand Slam main draw triple bagel, accomplished by only five players in the professional era, the last being Sergi Bruggera at the 1993 French Open.
A ‘triple bagel’ is winning a match in three sets without dropping a game.
FAA leaves Australian Open early due to cramp
Jacob Fearnley was defeated by Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak
Happy Auger-Also was left scratching his head after his hopes were dashed by first-round spasms.
The Canadian is the first top 10 seed to fall at Melbourne Park, and he didn’t even get to the end of his clash with Portugal’s Nuno Borges, as he retired while trailing 3-6 6-4 6-4.
Auger-Aliassime was heavily tipped for a good run at Melbourne Park after reaching the semi-finals of the US Open in a superb second half last season.
“I don’t have all the answers now,” said the seventh seed. “I try to be very professional in everything I do.”
“Obviously it hurts more because if I was self-conscious and I said, ‘well, I wasn’t really ready’ or I wasn’t doing everything, then you have to be honest with yourself.
“But even when I’m honest with myself, I can’t quite find the reasons why it happens. I can’t remember ever in my life this (happening) this early in a tournament, this early in a match.”
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Felix Auger-Aliassim stunned Alexander Zverev at the US Open with a master class
Auger-Aliassime was apparently struggling with his left thigh and, after calling the trainer, played just two points in the fourth set before shaking hands.
“I want to win on the field,” 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.”
Fernley lose in a tough game
Jacob Fearnley was defeated by Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak
Great Britain’s Jacob Fearnley went out in the first round as his difficult start to the season continued.
The Scot, who reached the third round on his debut last year, defeated the Pole 7-6 (7-2) 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7-3) Kamil Majchrzak.
Fernley was not helped by a heavy fall in the fifth game of the fourth set when he was broken, after which Majchrzak immediately fought back.
“I slipped, my ankle twisted, and then my hip, ankle, knee went to the floor — the hip I think is just a bruise, but the ankle is pretty sore right now,” Fernley said. “I hope it’s nothing (serious).”
After breaking into the top 50 in the world within a year of leaving college, Fernley is likely to return to the top 100.
“I just need to be a little more confident, pull back a little more, just play better,” he added.
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