The King of Melbourne has returned to his throne, and he is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down! On a balmy Monday evening at Rod Laver Arena, Novak Djokovic launched his 2026 Australian Open campaign with a performance that can only be described as vintage. In a display of ruthless efficiency, the 38-year-old Serbian superstar dismantled Spain’s Pedro Martinez in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, sending a clear message to the rest of the field: the road to the title still goes through him.

The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric, rivaling the intensity of a European football match, as fans packed the stands to witness history. And history is exactly what they got. With this victory, Djokovic has become a “centurion” of Melbourne Park, recording his monumental 100th match win at the tournament. It is a milestone that further cements his legacy as the greatest hard-court player the sport of tennis has ever seen.

A Clinical Performance Against Martinez

While the trending search “Martinez tennis” might suggest a sudden spike in interest for the Spaniard, it was Djokovic who commanded the court from the first ball. According to Outlook India, the match was a masterclass in precision, lasting just under two hours. Djokovic broke Martinez’s serve early in the first set and never looked back, controlling the baseline rallies with a depth and accuracy that left his opponent scrambling.

Despite Martinez’s best efforts to mix up the play, Djokovic’s movement was impeccable. At 38, his agility remains a marvel of the sporting world, comparable to the elite athleticism seen in the NBA or NFL. He covered every inch of the court, turning defense into offense with his trademark sliding backhand. The second and third sets were even more one-sided, with Djokovic breaking serve multiple times to seal the victory 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

According to The Independent, Djokovic was pleased with his “clinical” performance, especially considering it was his first competitive match since November. The “rust” that pundits often worry about was nowhere to be found; instead, we saw a player laser-focused on capturing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.

The “Centurion” Speaks

The significance of the night was not lost on the crowd or the commentators. Reaching 100 wins at a single Grand Slam is a feat achieved by only a select few in history. According to The Guardian, Djokovic is now the first player to record a century of wins at three different major tournaments, a statistic that former British number one Tim Henman described simply as “insane” during his commentary.

“I mean, what can I say? I like the sound of it. Centurion is pretty nice,” Djokovic told the cheering crowd in his on-court interview, as reported by Yahoo News Australia. “I’ve tried to give it back as much as I could in the last 20-plus years, and hopefully you guys enjoyed the tennis.” The Serbian legend’s hunger appears undiminished, and with the Olympics cycle moving into a new phase, his longevity continues to defy the conventional limits of professional sports.

Around the Grounds: Swiatek and Ruud Advance

While Djokovic headlined the evening, Day 2 of the Australian Open provided plenty of other drama. World number one Iga Swiatek navigated a tricky opening test against Yuan Yue. According to The Guardian, the Polish star had to battle through a tight first-set tiebreak before finding her rhythm to win 7-6(5), 6-3. Her ability to reset and dominate the second set showed why she remains the favorite in the women’s draw.

Elsewhere, Norway’s Casper Ruud avoided an upset, defeating Mattia Bellucci in a four-set battle. The soccer-loving Norwegian displayed grit and resilience to overcome a spirited challenge from the Italian qualifier. However, it wasn’t good news for everyone; British hopeful Fran Jones was forced to retire from her match due to injury, a heartbreaking end to her campaign.

Looking Ahead: The Path Continues

With the first hurdle cleared, Djokovic’s path to the final is beginning to take shape. According to Outlook India, his next opponent will be the Italian Francesco Maestrelli, who defeated Terence Atmane in a grueling five-set encounter. Maestrelli will need to recover quickly if he hopes to challenge a Djokovic who looks fresh and hungry.

As the tournament progresses, the question on everyone’s lips is whether anyone can stop the 10-time champion. The younger generation is knocking on the door, but on Monday night, the door was firmly slammed shut. For now, the “Djoker” is wilder than ever, and Melbourne Park remains his kingdom.

Conclusion

Day 2 of the 2026 Australian Open delivered everything fans could have hoped for: history, drama, and a masterclass from the world’s best. Novak Djokovic’s 100th win is more than just a statistic; it is a testament to an enduring greatness that transcends tennis. As the tournament heats up, all eyes will remain fixed on Rod Laver Arena to see if the Serbian legend can add yet another trophy to his overflowing cabinet. The campaign has launched, and it has launched with a bang.

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