‘Blessed’ Djokovic creates slice of history Olympic champion Zheng stunned in Melbourne
MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Novak Djokovic celebrated a slice of Grand Slam history on his way into the Australian Open third round on Wednesday, but last year’s women’s finalist Zheng Qinwen was knocked out in the biggest shock so far.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, in-form Coco Gauff, former Melbourne winner Naomi Osaka and a rampant Carlos Alcaraz were all victors on a rainy day four.
Alexander Zverev also progressed, but Norway’s Casper Ruud went down in four sets to Czech teenager Jakub Mensik to become the highest men’s seed to fall at six.
Playing under the roof on Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic needed four sets for the second match in a row before defeating Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3, 6-2.
It was Djokovic’s 430th singles match at a major to claim sole ownership of most-ever played, men or women, in the Open Era ahead of Roger Federer (429) and Serena Williams (423).
The Serb is chasing a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and historic 25th Grand Slam crown.
“Whether I win or lose, I will always leave my heart out on the court. I’m just blessed to be making another record,” said Djokovic, 37, now coached by former rival Andy Murray.
Djokovic faces Czech 26th seed Tomas Machac next and is drawn to meet Spain’s Alcaraz in the last eight.
Four-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz dropped just five games in an ominous display to sprint into the third round.
The third seed showed no mercy to Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in a 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 rout in 81 minutes.
“The less time you spend on court in the Grand Slams, especially in the beginning, it is going to be better,” said Alcaraz, who is yet to go beyond the quarter-finals in Melbourne.
Second seed Zverev swept through with a straight-sets victory over Spain’s Pedro Martinez.