World no. 7 Novak Djokovic will compete within the third spherical of the Australian Open for the seventeenth time within the earlier 18 journeys to Melbourne. After beating Nishesh Basavareddy within the first spherical, Novak confronted one other lower-ranked participant in spherical two at Rod Laver Area.
Djokovic ousted world no. 125 Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 in three hours, remaining on the title course. The 21-year-old Portuguese certified for his first Main event and notched his first ATP win within the first spherical.
He took a set in opposition to the legend at Rod Laver Area however couldn’t do extra within the remaining three, with Djokovic dominating and crusing excessive.
The followers are firmly in Novak’s nook after he breaks to take a 4-2 lead within the third set! #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/VCxl3wyQZS
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2025
Each gamers fired 14 aces, and Novak used his preliminary shot extra effectively. The legend misplaced serve two occasions and turned 41% of the return factors into seven return video games from 12 alternatives. The Serb didn’t hit in addition to within the first match, touchdown 33 winners and unforced errors.
Faria landed 38 winners at the price of 52 unforced errors, lacking an excessive amount of and ending his marketing campaign within the second spherical. Jaime stayed in contact within the mid-range and most superior rallies. Nonetheless, the veteran took cost within the shortest rallies, incomes the win in that phase.
Jaime Faria & Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Portuguese created a break probability within the third recreation of the duel with a return winner. The Serb saved it and held earlier than welcoming the rival’s backhand error within the subsequent one for a break and a 3-1 lead. Novak secured one other break in recreation six and prolonged the hole.
The ten-time champion served for the set at 5-1 and fired an ace to wrap up the primary a part of the duel in half an hour. They traded breaks in video games three and 4 of the second set. Faria saved break factors at 2-2 and claimed an prolonged rally in recreation six for a break and a 4-2 lead.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The younger gun held within the subsequent one for 5-2 and served for the set in recreation 9. Novak landed a forehand crosscourt winner, incomes a break at love and increasing the set. Jaime fired a forehand winner within the twelfth recreation and generated a set level.
Djokovic denied it and held, introducing a tie break. They traded 5 mini-breaks within the opening six factors, with the younger gun securing three and main 4-2 after an awesome internet protection and a volley winner. The Portuguese attacked at 6-4.
He landed a drop shot winner to wrap up the set and lock the general rating after an hour and 37 minutes. Novak recovered his strokes within the third set and served effectively. He made a push on the return within the sixth recreation and clinched a break after the rival’s forehand error.
Jaime Faria, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The veteran served for the set at 5-3 and landed an ace, shifting two units to 1 in entrance after two hours and 31 minutes. Faria misplaced the steam after preventing effectively for thus lengthy. He acquired damaged originally of the fourth set and trailed 3-1 after Djokovic’s two holds at love.
Novak supplied one other break in recreation 5 and defended a break probability within the subsequent one to open a 5-1 hole. The Serb served for the win at 5-2 and held at love with an ace to maneuver into the third spherical.
