The 38-year-old Serbian great defeated Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) indoors on Center Court to extend his own all-time record for major tournament wins.
Roger Federer (369) and Serena Williams (365) are next best.
The victory was also his 102nd at Melbourne Park, where he has won 10 titles, tying Federer for the most Australian Open singles victories.
Djokovic’s reward is a fourth-round meeting with either Czech rising star Jakub Mensik or American tournament debutant Ethan Quinn, whose match was postponed due to extreme heat.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner is in good form as he tries to break the recent dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
– I’m still trying to give these young guys a run for their money – Djokovic said.
– I’m still here. I’m holding on. Obviously Alcaraz and Sinner are the two best players in the world. Right now they are playing at a different level than all of us. But, you know, when you enter the field and the ball is rolling, you always have a chance – he said.
Van de Zandschulp, ranked 75th in the world, surprised Djokovic in three sets at Indian Wells last year but never looked like he would shock again.
The fourth seed turned back the clock with phenomenal tennis in the first set, securing a crucial break in the fourth game after a mammoth 26-point performance.
He broke the Dutchman again on his first serve in the second set to make it 4-2, but it was difficult and he became noticeably more irritable.
At one point, he kicked the ball toward the billboard out of frustration and nearly hit the ball, quickly apologizing.
In the third set, Djokovic injured his foot during medical intervention, apparently due to blisters, after they exchanged breaks and the set ended with a tie-break where he proved to be the most resilient.
Djokovic is tied with Margaret Court for the number of major titles won since winning the US Open in 2023.
(Vijesti.ba / Fena)
