Relentless Novak Djokovic survives second-set stumble to beat Jaime Faria and advance at Australian Open

Novak Djokovic once again had to work hard to overcome Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2, advancing to the third round of the Australian Open. The 24-time Grand Slam champion started with a commanding lead, but the Portuguese player gradually found his rhythm. However, Faria could not maintain it throughout the match, allowing Djokovic to regain control and secure victory, though not without difficulties.

What initially seemed like an easy day for Djokovic turned challenging after an opening where both players held their service games. Djokovic then went on a streak of five consecutive games, claiming the first set 6-1 in just 30 minutes. The Serbian excelled on return, outperforming Faria on both first and second serves, conceding just four points on

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At the start of the second set, Nole once again took control by securing an early break to lead 2-1. However, Faria loosened up his strokes and showcased his best tennis, earning two consecutive breaks as Djokovic began to show signs of frustration.

Faria attempted to maintain composure from the baseline, forcing Djokovic into a more reactive game during an irregular phase with multiple uncharacteristic errors from the Serbian. The Portuguese player built a 5-2 lead and served at 5-3 for the set, but Nole fought back, recovering the break to love.

Faria held a set point at 5-6 with Djokovic serving, but the Serbian responded with his best serves at a critical moment, pushing the set into a tie-break. Djokovic secured an initial mini-break but then committed a double fault, giving Faria another chance. The young Portuguese player displayed courage by seeking out points aggressively, ultimately winning the set deservedly 7-6(4).

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In the third set, Djokovic’s frustration was still evident as he frequently spoke to his box, mixing ironic smiles with comments about Faria's impressive performance. However, the 21-year-old lost some momentum, allowing Djokovic to reassert himself on the court. A break in the sixth game was enough for Nole to maintain control, holding serve without facing break points and winning 88% of points on his first serve.

By the fourth set, Djokovic dominated completely, with the young Portuguese visibly overwhelmed in the rallies. The 10-time Aussie Open champion secured an early break, followed by a second in the fifth game, practically sealing his victory. Nole confidently served out the match, closing it in three hours with a 6-1, 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-2 win.

The Serbian overcame a challenging encounter against the 21-year-old, who demonstrated personality but couldn’t keep up with the former World No. 1. Nonetheless, Djokovic continues to fall short of his best form and will face a tougher third-round challenge against No. 25 Tomas Machac, who eliminated Opelka and recently stunned Carlos Alcaraz in the Shanghai Masters quarterfinals.