Djokovic romps to win as Swiatek, Gauff move on

MELBOURNE, Jan 19 (AFP): Novak Djokovic began his latest bid for a record 25th Grand Slam crown with an emphatic straight-sets victory Monday as fellow Australian Open title contenders Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff also won but with less sparkle.
Three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev stayed alive, as did 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka, who rolled back the clock to reach the second round in his tournament farewell.
Serbian great Djokovic, 38, tamed Spain's 71st-ranked Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena, a court where he has won a record 10 Australian Open crowns.
The world number four owns 24 major titles, equal for the most ever with Australia's Margaret Court, but a 25th has remained agonisingly out of reach.
His last came at the 2023 US Open with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz sharing all eight since then.
"What can I say? I like the sound of it. Centurion is pretty nice," he said after his 100th victory at the Australian Open.
"I always give my best whenever I'm on the court. Obviously, history-making is a great motivation, and particularly in the last 5-10 years of my career."
The 2014 champion Wawrinka lived to fight another day with a gutsy four-set victory.
The three-time major winner is playing his last season before retiring and gave his all to down Serbia's Laslo Djere 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) in front of a crowd willing him to victory.
"The passion is still intact. But I'm not young any more, so I need to be careful also," said the Swiss warhorse, who made his Australian Open debut in 2006.