Defending champion Novak Djokovic set another Grand Slam record on Wednesday, reaching the Australian Open third round with a four-set win over Portugal’s Jaime Faria. Meanwhile, Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz delivered dominant performances, while last year’s runner-up Qinwen Zheng suffered a shock exit, MySportDab Reports.
Djokovic Surpasses Federer’s Record
Djokovic, 37, battled past 125th-ranked Faria 6-1, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 to claim his 430th Grand Slam singles match, surpassing Roger Federer (429) and Serena Williams (423) for the most matches played in the Open era. The Serbian dropped a set for the second straight match but regained control, using his experience to dispatch the 21-year-old qualifier.
“He was playing lights-out tennis,” Djokovic said. “But I love this sport and competition. Whether I win or lose, I always leave my heart on the court.”
Djokovic will face Czech 26th seed Tomas Machac in the next round.
Zheng Crashes Out, Sabalenka Survives
China’s Qinwen Zheng, the fifth seed, fell to unseeded German Laura Siegemund 7-6, 6-3 in a stunning second-round upset. The 22-year-old struggled physically after an injury-affected off-season and failed to replicate her 2023 form, which saw her reach the final.
Meanwhile, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka overcame serving struggles to beat Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-3, 7-5. The world No. 1 faced 11 break points but fought back from 2-5 down in the second set, sealing a 16th consecutive victory at Melbourne Park. She next faces Denmark’s Clara Tauson.
Gauff Overcomes Burrage, Sets Up Fernandez Clash
Coco Gauff, the US Open champion, battled through a tricky second-round match against Britain’s Jodie Burrage, winning 6-3, 7-5. The 20-year-old American saw a 3-1 second-set lead slip as Burrage twice broke serve, but she held her nerve to close out the match.
Gauff now faces Leylah Fernandez, the 2021 US Open finalist. “It’s a different match, different story,” Gauff said. “Anything can happen.”
Alcaraz Dismantles Nishioka
Spanish third seed Carlos Alcaraz delivered a ruthless 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 win over Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in just 81 minutes. The 21-year-old fired 14 aces and won 89% of his first-serve points, showcasing his improved serving.
“I’m really happy with everything today,” Alcaraz said. “Physically, I’m feeling great.”
He will face Portugal’s Nuno Borges next as he continues his bid to become the youngest Australian Open champion since Djokovic in 2008.
