Djokovic one-up Federer in Grand Slam matches

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic added another record to his long list, breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam matches played in tennis history by reaching 430 on Wednesday at Australian Open in what was a tougher than expected win in the second round.

Djokovic improved to 379-51 for his career at major tournaments, an .881 winning percentage, by defeating 21-year-old Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 in a game briefly interrupted by light rain before Rod Laver Arena’s retractable roof was closed.

“Grand Slams, of course, they’re the pillars of our sport. They mean everything to the history of the sport. … Definitely the most important tournaments,” Djokovic said. “I’m just blessed to make another record today.”

Oh, yes, Djokovic already has so many marks, many of which used to belong to Federer — who went 369-60 during his 429 Slam matches, an .860 winning percentage — and there are more on the horizon.

As it is, Djokovic has won the most Grand Slam singles titles of any man, 24, ahead of Rafael Nadal’s 22 and Federer’s 20 (the other two members of the Big Three are now retired). The 37-year-old Serbian has spent several weeks at no. 1 in the rankings than any other player. He has played in 37 Slam finals, six more than Federer’s old record. And so on and so on.

Also consider what might be in store for Djokovic.

A title at the end of the 15 days at Melbourne Park would be his 25th at a major, a number never achieved by any man or woman. It would also be his 11th at the Australian Open, matching Margaret Court for the most. That would make him the oldest man in the Open era – which began in 1968 – to collect a Grand Slam singles trophy (Ken Rosewall was about six months younger when he won the Australian Open in 1972). And it would be Djokovic’s 100th tour-level tournament title, a nice round number behind only Jimmy Connors’ 109 and Federer’s 103 in the men’s Open era.

Not everything has gone perfectly this week in Australia for Djokovic in his first tournament in action former on-court rival Andy Murray as his coach.

Both of Djokovic’s matches so far came against a young player making his Grand Slam debut. And both times he was pushed to four sets.

In the first round, it was against Nishesh Basavareddy, a 19-year-old American who only turned pro last month and is ranked No. 107. In the second, it was Faria, who is ranked No. 125, which gave him a bit of a hard time, especially during a four-game run in the second set.

“He played lights-out tennis. … I had to weather the storm,” Djokovic said. “I think I reacted very well in the third and especially the fourth (set).”

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