Novak Djokovic’s quest for a tenth Australian Open began with a 6-3 6-4 6-0 win over Roberto Carballes Baena.
Djokovic began his bid to win a 22nd Grand Slam title with a straight sets victory despite a slow start.
Carballes Baena grinded out the rallies but Djokovic held firm to make a winning return to Melbourne.
Next for Djokovic is either Enzo Couacaud or Hugo Dellien.
The Serb was making his first competitive return to Melbourne for a couple of years after last year’s COVID chaos.
However with doubts over his fitness due to his leg injury, Djokovic knew this wasn’t going to be easy.
Carballes Baena made it as difficult as possible for the world number five in the first two sets and took advantage of Djokovic’s rust in the fifth game when he created two break points.
They were to be denied by the former world number one and that sparked Djokovic’s game to a whole new level as he broke in the next game for a 4-2 lead.
The Serb’s sublime baseline tennis was dominant and the quality started to show with errors coming off Carballes Baena’s racket.
Djokovic sealed the opening set in 43 minutes to love much to the delight of the Melbourne crowd.
Despite Djokovic’s quality, Carballes Baena remained unfazed and confidently saved break point in the opening game.
At times the Serb was evidently struggling with his leg injury but at other times Djokovic flawlessly glided around the court.
After another battle of endurance in the middle of the set, Djokovic was finally rewarded with a crucial break of serve for a 4-3 lead.
Just like the opening set, Djokovic served out the second set to love as he was in total command of the match.
In the final set Djokovic was completely dominant serving immaculately and showed why he’s won this title nine times.
There was no stopping the world number five as he punched a hole through the defence of Carballes Baena and won all six games in the third set.
After the match Djokovic thanked the Melbourne crowd and was delighted with the victory, “I’m very happy I am back in Australia, and on the court where I had the biggest successes of my career,” Djokovic said in his post-match interview.
“This court is the most special court and I couldn’t ask for a better start for the tournament. The more you win on a certain court, you more comfortable you feel. I have been fortunate to win so many matches on this court, especially night matches. I would choose this [court] all night long.
“I’m very pleased with the way I played in the third set. I didn’t give him too much time to breathe. The second set was up and down. Credit to him, it was his first match on Rod Laver Arena so he deserves a round of applause.”
Djokovic will now play Enzo Couacaud or Hugo Dellien in the second round.
