Australian Open – 1st round | Novak Djokovic qualified for the 2nd round after his victory over Roberto Carballes Baena

The huge favorite of the Australian Open 2023 wasted no time in his return to this Grand Slam tournament. Faced with Roberto Carballés Baena, Novak Djokovic won brilliantly in three sets and 2h02 of play (6-3, 6-4, 6-0). In search of a tenth title in Melbourne, the Serb displayed an impressive level in the image of the last round swallowed up in 24 minutes flat. An express victory as good news for Djoko, forced to start his match late in the night from Monday to Tuesday, but this unchallenged domination in this match will prevent him from returning to the Rod Laver Arena to complete his entry into the running. In the next round, the Djoker will be opposed to the winner of the duel between Enzo Couacaud and Hugo Dellien.

22nd straight win in Melbourne

1821 days, and the series continues. Winner for the twenty-second time in a row in Melbourne and for the thirty-fifth time on Australian soil, Novak Djokovic continues to impress the public at the Rod Laver Arena. Last year, his non-vaccination against the coronavirus had prevented him from defending his title. But with rules relaxed on this in 2023, the ex-world number one has returned to dazzle the world and win a tournament that is particularly close to his heart. Faced with the giant, Roberto Carballés Baena fought with courage and tenacity for two rounds. After four games in the first set, the Spaniard found himself at 0-40 on his opponent’s serve and three balls to achieve the first break of the match.

Back to the wall, Djokovic did not doubt and sent the pressure on his opponent’s shoulders, winning… twelve points in a row! From then on, the number four seed pocketed the first set in 42 minutes (6-3). Very authoritarian in the exchange and in particular in the forehand (his average is estimated at 141 km / h during the match, a record in the tournament), Djokovic continued to exert constant pressure on the opponent. Not always satisfied with the turn of events, the recent winner of the Adelaide tournament displayed excellent first-ball quality in the second set (62%) and net efficiency (11 points won from 14 attempts).

At 3-3, the defending champion at Wimbledon got the break and made it easier to lead two sets to nothing in 1h38 (6-4). Asphyxiated and no doubt aware that the feat would not be for today, Carballes Baena laid down his arms in the last heat. Not inclined to be emotional, Djokovic took the opportunity to press the accelerator and inflict a stinging defeat on the Canarian yet deserving of the rest of the match (6-0). Can Djokovic join Rafael Nadal and win the twenty-second Grand Slam title of his career in a fortnight? After this first expedited round, there are strong reasons to think so.