Just like home for Djokovic and Serena Williams at the Australian Open

There’s no doubt Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams feel right at home on Rod Laver Arena, where they’ve won a combined 11 Australian Open titles.

With five, Djokovic has already won more Australian titles than any other man in the Open era.

On Wednesday night, he beat 19-year-old French wild-card entry Quentin Halys 6-1, 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) to reach the third round for the 10th straight year, moving another step closer to equalling the all-time record of six Australian titles set by Roy Emmerson in the 1960s when it was amateur.

Halys was overawed to start with, losing the first seven points and facing triple break point before he managed to hold serve in a game lasting 10 minutes. He was level for a couple of minutes, before Djokovic went on a roll to win the next seven games.

Djokovic lost only one match at a grand slam tournament last year – the French Open final. At Melbourne Park, he has lost only one match in the previous five tournaments. He gives even the second-round matches a sense of occasion.

“This court just gives me so many beautiful memories, wonderful time,” Djokovic said. “Every time I step on the court it feels special.”

Williams has had so much success for such a long time that even in a second-round match she can set a record at the season’s first grand slam event.

The six-time and defending champion beat No 90-ranked Hsieh Su-wei 6-1, 6-2, an all-time record 79th main draw match at the Australian Open.