AO 2025: Novak defeats Faria to move to third round | Novak Djokovic

Another three hour battle for Nole. Another victory.

Novak Djokovic continues to create history and break records. On Wednesday, he became the player with the most Grand Slam Singles matches played in the Open Era (430).

“I love this sport. I love competition,” Djokovic said when told of that milestone. “I try to give my best every single time. It’s been over 20 years that I’ve been competing in Grand Slams at the highest level. Whether I win or lose one thing is for sure: I’ll always leave my heart out on the court.”

For the second straight match at the 2025 Australian Open, the Serbian star was pushed to four sets.

Grand Slam debutant Jaime Faria played like he had nothing to lose, but Novak withstood the barrage and won 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 to reach the third round in Melbourne.

Novak took the opening set easily, breaking twice. However, the 21-year-old Portuguese qualifier fought back bravely to win the second set in a tie-break and level the contest.

Novak’s return was getting better as the match went on. With coach Andy Murray urging him to move forward and take control of the court, Nole shifted the match back in his direction.

He faced just one break point in the third and fourth sets, winning 90 per cent of his first serve points in those sets to close out the victory.

“I think I responded very well in the third and particularly fourth set, the way I ended the match,” said Djokovic. “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 obviously 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.”

Match statistics: aces (14-14), double faults (2-6), winners (33-38), unforced errors (33-52), total points won (128-92).

Next up for Novak will be a third-round meeting with 26th seed from Czech Republic, Tomas Machac (1-1).

Photo: Profimedia