Djokovic registers 100th Australian Open win

Novak Djokovic delivered a serving masterclass as he registered his 100th victory at the Australian Open with a straight-set victory over Spain’s Pedro Martinez.

The world number four, who is bid for a standalone record 25th Grand Slam singles title, only dropped five points out of 57 on serve across a two-hour exhibition of serving excellence.

The 38-year-old produced eight holds to love, only lost one point in each of the second and third sets and won 93% of points behind his first serve – all while maintaining a first-service percentage of 77%.

The 10-time champion appropriately closed out the win with his 14th ace of the night, triumphing 6-3 6-2 6-2.

Mark Woodforde, a 17-time Grand Slam doubles champion, hailed Djokovic’s serving as “supreme” and “exceptional” on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra but the Serb offered a more understated assessment of his performance.

“Tonight’s performance was great, I can’t complain about anything. I served very well,” said Djokovic.

“It’s always a challenge to kick-start the tournament on the right note and send the right signal not only to yourself but your opponents watching you play.

“I have a couple of days without a match to recover my body. I’m using every hour to get in shape for the next challenge.”

Medvedev wins at major for first time in 370 days

After notching up a century of wins in Melbourne – a feat he has also achieved at Wimbledon (102) and Roland Garros (101) – Djokovic was treated to video highlights from his 2005 main-draw debut during his post-match interview.

Djokovic, in understandably jovial spirits, played down this period of reflection, insisting he will not get caught up in his career achievements until he has “put the racquet aside [and] sipping some nice cocktail on the beach”.

Djokovic, who will face Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli in the second round, continued: “It’s a nice feeling to be a centurion.

“History-making is great motivation. Particularly in the last five or 10 years of my career, once I got myself in a position where I could eventually create history, I was even more inspired to play the best tennis.

“I was fortunate early in my career to encounter people who guided me to play the long shot with my career, not to burn out too quickly, and take care of my body and my mind.

“I’m blessed to be playing at this level and another win is a dream come true.”

De Minaur ‘not just making up the numbers’

Sixth seed Alex de Minaur believes he has the ability to be a serious contender for major honors and become the first Australian to win the men’s singles title at his home Grand Slam since Mark Edmondson in 1976.

The 26-year-old, who has reached the quarter-finals at each of the four majors, started his campaign with a dominant 6-2 6-2 6-2 win over lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald but insisted he has more to prove.

“I’ve got to the stage where I’m not just another number in the draw,” said De Minaur. “I’m playing to win it, to be one of the guys in contention. Ultimately, that’s the goal. It’s not about being satisfied [with this performance].”

Elsewhere, 13th seed Andrey Rublev beat Italian Matteo Arnoldi in straight sets while three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud, the 12th seed, lost just seven games en route to victory over Mattia Bellucci.

Spanish 14th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and American 19th seed Tommy Paul came through unscathed against Filip Misolic and Aleksandar Kovačević respectively.

However, there was a surprise early exit for Czech 17th seed Jiri Lehecka, who fell to Arthur Gea in straight sets. The Frenchman, who came via qualifying, will face 40-year-old former champion Stan Wawrinka in round two.

MELBOURNE:

Novak Djokovic started his latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam crown with an emphatic straight-sets victory Monday as fellow Australian Open title contenders Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff also won but with less sparkle.

Three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev stayed alive, as did 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka, who rolled back the clock to reach the second round in his tournament goodbye.

Serbian great Djokovic, 38, tamed Spain’s 71st-ranked Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena, a court where he has won a record 10 Australian Open crowns.

The world number four owns 24 major titles, equal for the most ever with Australia‘s Margaret Court, but a 25th has remained painfully out of reach.

His last coming at the 2023 US Open with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz sharing all eight since then.

“What can I say? I like the sound of it. Centurion is pretty nice,” he said after his 100th win at the Australian Open.

always give my best whenever I’m on the court. Obviously, history-making is a great motivation, and particularly in the last 5-10 years of my career.”

The 2014 champion Wawlinka lived to fight another day with a gutsy four-set victory.

The three-time major winner is playing his last season before retiring and gave his all to down Serbia’s Laslo Djere 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) in front of a crowd wanting him to victory.

“The passion is still intact. But I’m not young any more, so I need to be cautious also,” said the Swiss warhorse, who made his Australian Open debut in 2006.

Medvedev, runner-up in 2021, 2022 and 2024, warmed up for Melbourne with victory in Brisbane and ground to a 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) opening round victory over Dutchman Jesper de Jong.

The famously feisty Russian said he was trying to be more “positive” on court.

“So far I’m doing it well,” he said.

Sixth seed Alex de Minaur, the big home hope, was also a straight-sets winner on another hot day where temperatures reached about 30C and record crowds of more than 100,000 faced long ques to get into Melbourne Park.

The tournament is over, however, for seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who withdrew from his match with cramp.

Auger-Aliissime won the opening set 6-3 against Nuno Borges but then lost the next two before calling time.

“I want to be on the court competing with my opponent. I don’t want to be just standing there like a punching bag,” he said.

The same fate befell tearful compatriot Marina Stakusic, who was taken off in a wheelchair when she squeezed up against home player Priscilla Hon.

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