‘Blessed to make another record’: Djokovic

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates his Round Two win over Portugal’s Jaime Faria at the Australian Open in Melbourne yesterday. Pics/AFP

Novak Djokovic added yet another record to his lengthy list, breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam matches played in tennis history by reaching 430 on Wednesday at the Australian Open in what was a tougher-than-expected second-round victory.

Djokovic improved to 379-51 for his career at major tournaments, a .881 winning percentage, by defeating 21-year-old Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 in a match briefly interrupted by light rain before Rod Laver Arena's retractable roof was shut. "Grand Slams, of course, they are the pillars of our sport. They mean everything for the history of the sport. Definitely, the most important tournaments," Djokovic said.

"I'm just blessed to be making another record, I guess, today," he added.

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 37-year-old Serb has spent more weeks at No. 1 in the rankings than any other player.

Carlos Alcaraz during his win over Yoshihito Nishioka yesterday

Alcaraz routs Nishioka

Djokovic faces Czech 26th seed Tomas Machac next and is drawn to meet Spain's Alcaraz in the last eight. Four-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz dropped just five games in an ominous display to sprint into the third round. The third seed showed no mercy to Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka in a 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 rout in 81 minutes.

Zverev through in three sets

Second seed Zverev swept through with a straight-sets victory over Spain's Pedro Martinez. The German won 6-1, 6-4, 6-1.

Most Grand Slam singles matches

Novak Djokovic........ 430
Roger Federer...........429
Serena Williams.......423
Rafael Nadal.............358
Venus Williams.........356

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