Novak Djokovic becomes the first player to win 400 Grand Slam matches, advancing to the Australian Open last 16 with a straight-sets victory.
NOVAK Djokovic said he was “hanging in there” after becoming the first player to win 400 Grand Slam matches.
The 38-year-old Serbian great swept past Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) on centre court to extend his own all-time record of match wins at the majors.
Victory was also his 102nd at Melbourne Park, where he has won 10 titles, equalling Roger Federer for the most Australian Open singles wins.
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Djokovic’s reward is a fourth-round clash with either Czech rising star Jakub Mensik or American tournament debutant Ethan Quinn.
“I’m still trying to give these young guys a push for their money,” said Djokovic.
“Obviously Alcaraz and Sinner are the two best players in the world. They’re playing on a different level from all of us right now.”
He stressed that he was “not getting ahead of myself” after making the semi-finals at all four majors last year.
“Last year I got too excited, too early in some of the Grand Slams,” he said.
The 75th-ranked Van de Zandschulp upset Djokovic in three sets at Indian Wells last year, but never looked like pulling off another shock.
The fourth seed secured the critical break in the fourth game of the first set after a mammoth 26-point rally.
He broke the Dutchman again on his opening serve in the second set, but became noticeably more irritable as the match progressed.
Djokovic had work on his foot during a medical timeout in the third set after a tumble.
“Thankfully, I managed a good fall, if you can say that,” he said of the incident where he appeared to turn his ankle.
Djokovic has been tied with Margaret Court on 24 major titles since winning the US Open in 2023. – AFP
