Novak Djokovic Vs Pedro Martinez Highlights, Australian Open 1st Round: Serb Clinches 100th AO Win

Ahead of the 1st match, Djokovic faced the media. Here are some of his snippets -

"I know that, when I'm healthy, when I'm able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together on a given day, I feel like I can beat anybody.

"If I don't have that self-belief and confidence in myself, I wouldn't be here. I still have the drive and, of course, I understand that Sinner and Alcaraz are playing on a different level right now from everybody else.

"That's a fact, but that doesn't mean that nobody else has a chance. So, I like my chances always, in any tournament, particularly here."

“There has been a lot of talk about the 25th. I try to focus myself on what I have achieved, not what I'm possibly achieving. I mean, I hope it comes to that, but 24 is also not a bad number. I have to appreciate that and remind myself of the amazing career I had.

“And also, you know, release some of that unnecessary pressure. I mean, obviously there is always pressure and expectations, but I don't think it's a make-it-or-break-it type of thing, it’s now-or-never type of mentality. I don't feel it's necessary. Neither does that allow me to excel and perform my best.

“I'm just grateful to have another shot, particularly here, a place where I won 10 Grand Slam titles and been consistently playing well and reaching the final stages. Last couple of years also semifinals, '24 semi-finals, '25. Had a great win against Carlos in quarters last year.

“I know that when I'm healthy, when I'm able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together on a given day, I feel like I can beat anybody. If I don't have that self-belief and confidence in myself, I wouldn't be here definitely sitting here and talking to you guys or competing.

“I still have the drive, and of course I understand that, you know, Sinner and Alcaraz are playing on a different level right now from everybody else. That's a fact, but that doesn't mean that nobody else has a chance. So I like my chances always, in any tournament, particularly here.”

The first-round match between Novak Djokovic and Pedro Martinez is slated to begin from 4:05 PM IST at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. Both players are out on the court, so there shouldn't be any more delays.

We are underway in Melbourne, and Djokovic – the overwhelming favourites for this contest – has made a positive start by clinching the first game. Martinez under pressure immediately.

After Djokovic dominated the early moments of the first set, taking a three-game lead at one point, Martinez claws his way back. It was neck-to-neck, with the Spaniard bringing it back to deuce and then clinching the game. Maybe we have a contest after all.

Easy does it for Djokovic as he holds serve to take the first set comfortably by a 6-3 margin. Not much trouble so far for the Serbian legend in the opening round. The second set is underway too and is on serve currently at 1-1.

And just like that, Djokovic breezes through the second set too. He wins it with greater ease than the first, sailing through at 6-2. He now is just one set away from a strong, victorious start to his Australian Open campaign.

It's 11:30 in the evening and the crowd seems to be getting a bit rowdy too, as someone shouted 'mishit' or some such in the middle of a point and that did not go down well with Djokovic. Nevertheless, the 38-year-old overcomes everything that Martinez throws at him to break his serve. It's 3-2 in the third set, with Djokovic in a commanding position to advance.

The end. Djokovic takes the third set too by a resounding 6-2 margin and thus wins in straight sets against Martinez. What's more, this is the Serbian's 100th win at Australian Open, and Djokovic will now set his sights on surpassing Roger Federer’s all-time mark of 102 match wins at the tournament.

After some rest on Tuesday, Djokovic will take the court again on Wednesday (January 21) for his second-round match against Francesco Maestrelli. The Italian beat France's Terence Atmane 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-1 in an intense clash earlier today to advance.