In a commanding start to his 2024 campaign, Novak Djokovic has stormed into the Australian Open second round with a clinical straight-sets victory, simultaneously notching a monumental century of wins at Melbourne Park.
A Centurion's Masterclass on Rod Laver Arena
The world number four was in imperious form on Monday night, dismantling Spanish opponent Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in a ruthless first-round display. The match, played under the lights at Rod Laver Arena, saw Djokovic join an exclusive club, becoming only the second man alongside Roger Federer to record 100 victories at the Australian Open.
Facing a potentially tricky opponent known for his tenacity, Djokovic left no room for drama. He unleashed a combination of pinpoint precision and raw power, firing 49 winners and 14 aces past a helpless Martinez. The Serb raced to a 3-0 lead in the opening set and never relinquished control, wrapping up the second set in a mere 30 minutes.
Chasing History With a Vintage Performance
At 38 years old and competing in his 21st Australian Open, Djokovic is chasing history. He is aiming for a record-extending 11th Melbourne Park title and an unprecedented 25th grand slam singles crown, which would move him past Margaret Court for the outright record.
Despite the weight of history, Djokovic has downplayed the pressure. "I'm blessed to be still playing, honestly, at this level. Making another win tonight is obviously a dream come true," he said post-match. He admitted pre-tournament to managing his body carefully, but showed no signs of the niggles that had concerned him, apart from some brief stretching and shoulder tape.
An Inevitable Path Forward
The super Serb's confidence was palpable. He flashed a trademark grin and swaggered back to the baseline after ripping a stunning forehand winner early in the third set. Even Martinez was forced to applaud a delightful lob from the champion. While the Spaniard dug in, Djokovic's victory felt inevitable once he broke serve at 2-2 in the decider.
"Tonight's performance was definitely great — I cannot complain about anything," Djokovic stated. "It always feels good at the beginning of the tournament... sending the right signal not just to yourself but to all your opponents watching you play."
With this dominant start, Djokovic has laid down a formidable marker. He now prepares to face Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli in the second round as his quest for a historic 25th major title gathers serious momentum.
