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Djokovic triumphs over Faria, will face Machac in AO third round


Djokovic

MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic advanced to the third round of the Australian Open after defeating Jaime Faria on Wednesday in the second round.

In search of his 25th grand slam title, Djokovic headed into his second match of the tournament he has won a record ten times. Earlier, the Serb faced off against 19-year-old American Nishesh Basavareddy, who has an ATP singles ranking of 107. Despite getting off to a good start, winning the first set 6-4, Nishesh failed to overcome the tennis behemoth that is Djokovic, losing the next three sets 6-3, 6-4, and 6-2.

In the second round, Djokovic was pitted against 21-year-old Jaime Faria. After losing the first set in devastating fashion, 6-1, Faria made history, becoming the first Portuguese player to take a set from Djokovic. And he had to claw it out of the 37-year-old legend’s hands to do it.

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After Faria got a break in the sixth game of the second set, he would capitalise, taking a 5-2 lead after winning his service game. However, Djokovic then won the next three games straight to tie the set five games to five. Faria won his next service game, but so did Djokovic, forcing a tie break. However, the Portuguese player eventually won 7-4.

The Serb had an easier time in the third set, getting a break in the sixth game before winning the set 6-3. He closed out the contest soon after, winning the fourth and final set in emphatic fashion. Djokovic took an early two game lead after taking Faria’s opening service game on the second break point. Faria suffered another break in the fifth game, this time on Djokovic’s third break point of the game. With a score of five games to two, Djokovic entered the final game, which he won in four straight points.

Djokovic will now face Tomas Machac in the third round. Machac is ranked 25th, and is currently the number one Czech player. The two have played each other twice, with the Serb coming out on top on hard court, while Machac triumphed on clay.

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