Novak Djokovic swept previous Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena to launch his bid for a 10th Australian Open title Tuesday, with the Serb having fun with a rousing reception following his deportation a 12 months in the past.

The 35-year-old, who was banned from final 12 months’s match, confirmed few indicators of the hamstring niggle he picked up in Adelaide this month as he raced to victory on Rod Laver Arena 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.

After not having the ability to play final 12 months over his Covid vaccination stance, there have been issues over how he could be acquired by followers in Melbourne.

The metropolis endured prolonged lockdowns through the top of the pandemic.

But, as in Adelaide, the fourth seed walked out to loud cheers and chants of “Nole”, with vocal backing during the match from a stadium awash with Serbian flags.

“Thank you for giving me such a welcoming reception that I could only dream of,” stated Djokovic, who’s chasing a record-equalling 22nd main title.

“I really feel actually blissful that I’m again right here in Australia and on the court docket the place I’ve had the most important success in my profession.

“Definitely this court docket is essentially the most particular court docket in my life and I couldn’t ask for a greater begin to the match.”

He arrived at Melbourne Park in sizzling form after ending 2022 by winning another ATP Finals title, then followed that up by triumphing at the Adelaide International.

As if that wasn’t daunting enough for 75th-ranked Carballes Baena, Djokovic came into the clash having won his last 21 Australian Open matches.

He opened with an ace, but didn’t have it all his own way at first, needing to save three break points in the fifth game.

But he quickly settled and broke next game to love for a 4-2 lead and closed out the set.

His hamstring appeared to trouble him briefly when he slid for a shot at 2-2 in the next set, but he pressed on and broke again for 4-3 when Carballes Baena netted a forehand.

Djokovic stepped up a level as the clock ticked passed midnight in Melbourne and he immediately broke in the third set, with the Spaniard out of answers as the former world number one surged to victory.

“I’m very, very pleased with the way I played in the third set. I didn’t give him too much chance to breathe from the back of the court,” he stated.

“I served very effectively. Second set was up and down and credit score to him for combating.”

In Djokovic’s absence last year, long-time rival Rafael Nadal won the title to claim a 21st Grand Slam which he stretched to 22 at the French Open.

Djokovic won Wimbledon to take his haul to 21 and he has made no secret about wanting more.

Extra motivation comes from making an attempt to grow to be simply the third participant in historical past to win not less than 10 titles at a single Grand Slam.

Only Nadal, with 14 at Roland Garros, and Margaret Court, who won 11 Australian Open singles titles, have more.

Read all the Latest Sports News here

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed)