Novak Djokovic put his frustrations with the Australian Open crowd aside to claim a straight-sets victory over Tomas Machac. (More Tennis News)
Machac could not capitalise on Djokovic's frustrations or sickness, and the fired-up Serbian channelled his energy into a fantastic final service game
Novak Djokovic put his frustrations with the Australian Open crowd aside to claim a straight-sets victory over Tomas Machac. (More Tennis News)
D𒁃jokovic needed four sets to beat Nishesh B༺asavareddy in round one and Jaime Faria in round two, but he prevailed 6-1 6-4 6-4 on Friday.
The 10-time Australian Open champion was less than impressed wi🐬th sections of the crowd at Rod Laver Arena, while he also appeared to suffer with sick✨ness at one stage in the second set.
He lashed out on mu🦩ltiple occasions at several fans shouting out during play, while he also offered some disgruntled looks towards his coach Andy Murray.
But Machac could not capitalise on Djokovic's frustrations o♉r sickness, and the fired-up Serbian channelled his energy into a fant🎃astic final service game.
Machac clawed back one point♋, but Djokovic got over the line with a sensationally crisp winner as his oppone👍nt charged towards the net.
"I'm very hot-headed right now," said the 24-time major wꦡinner, who offered a pointed look towards one of the apparent offenders in the crowd.
"I think I played really well, honestly. I'm relieved. I was slightly surprised with the result; he was a break up early in the second. I managed 🤡to change things around, hold my serve when I needed to. It could have gone either way.
"Ove♐rall, very pleased wi♊th my game – this is definitely the best match I've played."
At one stage during his interview, a fan shouted out "Marry me, Novak!", to which D🌜jokovic replied: "Sorry, mate. Maybe we can go for a drink. I think me and [him] could reflect on the things we said to each other tonight."
Data Debrief: Getting better with age
Djokovic holds a win rate of 91.5% (151♍-14) at grand slams since turnin💟g 30 – the best rate of any male or female player in the Open Era.
He has now won his past 56 ATP-level mat🦹ches after taking the first set – his last such loss coming in the 2023 Wimbleౠdon final.
The 37-year-old is 71-0 after taking the first two sets at the Australian Open. Only Roger Federer (80-0) has won more matches while remaining undefeated at the seas꧙on's firs📖t major.