Australian Open Men’s Day 4

Novak Djokovic survived a brief scare but kept his quest for an 11th career title at the Australian Open alive on a Wednesday plagued by rain interruptions.

While the Serb was protected from the elements on the Laver arena in his 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 defeat of Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria, the open roof of the venue meant the court had to be dried by hand as the roof was closing.

The 37-year-old with 24 Grand Slam singles titles gave away 16 years to his fearless 125th-ranked opponent, who did not seem intimidated as he faced the all-time great.

Rain which returned in the evening and is forecast to continue into Thursday will have organisers anxiously scanning the skies in hopes of keeping the massive event on schedule.

Djokovic set a new record by winning his 430th match at a Grand Slam, overtaking Roger Federer.

“I love this sport, I love competition. I try to give my best every time,” he said. After 20 years of Grand Slam, I leave my heart on the court.

“The Slams are the pillars of our sport, they mean everything for the history. I’m blessed to have set another record today.

“At the end of the second and start of the third set I had to weather the storm, it’s not easy to play someone with nothing to lose.”

. No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz continued to work his way quietly through the draw, playing his second match on the not-quite-primetime Court arena.

But the lesser venue at Melbourne Park did not bother the former No. 1, who rolled Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka 6-0, 6-1, 6-4.

The 21-year-old with titles in hand from the other three majors, has Melbourne as a target, but is concentrating on his next match. 

Only eight men have won the title at all four of the Slams “I’m missing this title, I really want to win this title one day,” Alcaraz said.

“That’s what I’m working for, but now it’s only about the next match.”

The Spanaird was quite pleased to be done in 82 minutes and into the third round. “It’s always better to win in the least amount of time. I’m feeling great but want to (keep matches short).

 “I think I played a really solid, solid match today. I improved the things that I had to improve from the first match. 

“I’m just really, really happy with everything today.”

Portugal’s Nuno Borges eliminated injured Australian Jordan Thomason with a decisive 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 scoreline.

“I know I was not gonna be the crowd favorite. He was struggling physically but I believe I played a really good match,” the winner said.

Czech Tomas Machac tamed the big game of US giant Reilly Opelka 3-6, 7-6 (1), 6-7 5), 7-6 (4), 6-4, taking three and a half hours to reach the third round.

His compatriot Jiri Lehecka advanced 6-3, 3-1 when Frenchman Hugo Gaston retired.