Novak Djokovic extends Australian Open winning streak to 23 matches after stopping qualifier Couacaud

After a swift 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 victory over No. 75-ranked Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain in his first-round match, Novak Djokovic faced a stiffer challenge from Enzo Couacaud at the Australian Open on Thursday night.

By the end, after navigating his incoming hamstring concern and an inspired second-set push from the world No. 191, the No. 4 seed defeated the French qualifier, 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-0.

Djokovic has never lost to a qualifier at a major. He’s now 23-0 against them after his victory over Couacaud.

That’s not his only streak of 23—he’s now won his last 23 matches in a row at the Australian Open, a run that includes title runs in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and his first two wins here.

And he’s won his last 36 matches in a row in the country of Australia, a stretch that also includes eight wins at the ATP Cup in 2020 and 2021, and five wins en route to the title in Adelaide two weeks ago.

Awaiting Djokovic in the third round will be Grigor Dimitrov, who recorded the 375th tour-level win of his career earlier in the day, beating Serbia’s Laslo Djere, 6-3, 6-2, 6-0.

Djokovic and Dimitrov have played each other 10 times before, with Djokovic leading the head-to-head, 9-1. Dimitrov’s lone win was a 7-6 (6), 6-7 (8), 6-3 victory on clay in Madrid in 2013.

Djokovic has won their last seven meetings in a row.