Australian Open 2025: Novak Djokovic goes past Jaime Faria, qualifies for third round

10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic continued his march as he defeated Portugal’s Jaime Faria in four sets. The Serbian registered a 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 win on Wednesday at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion took the opening set convincingly by 6-1 but the 21-year-old youngster bounced back in the second set. The youngster took a set off Djokovic but the latter lifted his level in the next two sets.

Djokovic said Faria has a bright future ahead of him but he was delighted with the way he finished the game in third and fourth set.

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

Djokovic was at his best in the last two sets, winning 90% of points on first-serve. Furthermore, the Serbian conceded a single break point in the third and fourth sets.

This was the 430th Grand Slam match for Djokovic as he surpassed his former rival Roger Federer for most matches by any man and woman in Major.

“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.”

Djokovic will face the 26th seed Tomas Machac in the third round of the Happy Slam on Friday.