Djokovic Cruises into Second Round of Australian Open, Sets Sight on Record 25th Grand Slam

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In a commanding performance, Novak Djokovic advanced to the second round of the Australian Open on Monday, edging closer to a record 25th Grand Slam title. The 38-year-old Serb dominated Spain's Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours, securing his landmark 100th Australian Open victory. Djokovic, currently ranked four, has been working to manage his wear and tear after pulling out of a warm-up event earlier this month. He cited physical unpreparedness, but his performance on the Melbourne Park hard court showed no signs of rustiness or discomfort. The former world number one has set his sights on breaking a tie with Margaret Court, who holds the current record of 24 major titles. However, Djokovic will face stiff competition from reigning champion Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have dominated the majors in the past two years. Djokovic's victory also marked another milestone, as he equaled the all-time record for men's singles Grand Slam appearances with 81 matches, joining Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez. In the second round, Djokovic will face Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli, a formidable opponent in his own right. The stage is set for another thrilling performance from the Serbian star, who is determined to add to his impressive collection of Grand Slam titles.