Last updated on .From the section Tennis Djokovic won his first Australian Open in 2008 when he beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final Australian Open 2019 Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 14-27 January Coverage: Daily live commentaries on the BBC Sport website, listen to Tennis Breakfast daily from 07:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and watch highlights on BBC TV and online from 19 January. Top seed Novak Djokovic started his bid for a record seventh men's Australian Open title with a straight-set win over American qualifier Mitchell Krueger. The 31-year-old Serb, chasing a 15th Grand Slam title and third in a row, won 6-3 6-2 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena. Krueger broke Djokovic in the third game but the world number one dominated from there to seal victory in two hours and three minutes. He will face French wildcard Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second round. Djokovic's victory over the 230th-ranked Krueger was in stark contrast to the way he lost a year ago to South Korea's Chung Hyeon in the last 16. He struggled with an elbow injury which would later require surgery and endured a string of poor results before hitting top form again to win Wimbledon and the US Open and regain the world number one ranking. "It feels great to be healthy and back on this court again," said Djokovic, who was appearing in his 300th Grand Slam match. "Twelve months ago it was quite a different sensation on the court with the elbow injury. Twelve months forward, obviously things are quite different." Tsonga was on the losing side in the 2008 Australian Open final as Djokovic won his first of 14 Grand Slams. Former world number four Tsonga missed seven months of 2018 after knee surgery and needed a wildcard to get into the tournament after his ranking dropped outside the top 200. But the 33-year-old will be a dangerous opponent, having reached the semi-finals in his comeback tournament in Brisbane and beaten Martin Klizan of Slovakia in straight sets in the first round in Melbourne. "It's funny, 11 years after our first Grand Slam final here - it feels like a lot has happened for both of us," Djokovic added.<doc-sep>Novak Djokovic wife: Who is Novak Djokovic married to? FREE for news on the biggest players and tournaments SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Novak Djokovic is a growing force in the Australian Open following high profile exits in Melbourne. The Serbian star is a six-time champion in the prestigious tournament despite failing to hit the heights in the last two years, and is the favourite to succeed again. Roger Federer was left stunned by Stefanos Tsitsipas as the 20-year-old ace triumphed over him on Sunday. No 4 seed Alexander Zverev is the latest contender to be unceremoniously dumped out of the competition after losing to Milos Raonic this morning. Djokovic confidently overcame Mitchell Krueger and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga before beating No 25 seed Denis Shapovalov. He is fighting against Daniil Medvedev in the fourth round for a chance to face either Kei Nishikori or Pablo Carreno Busta in the quarter-finals. Djokovic is expected to make a strong surge for the Australian Open title this year, and he will have plenty of support from his family to get the job done once again. Express Sport has rounded up everything you need to know about Novak Djokovic’s wife and whether the pair has children. Novak Djokovic wife: Jelena is frequently spotted at tournaments Who is Novak Djokovic married to? Jelena Djokovic (née Ristic) started dating Novak in 2005, two years after he turned pro, and have been together ever since. They reportedly met in high school and were engaged in September 2013 before getting married less than a year later. After the announcement, Novak said: "I’m very happy. I love. I am loved. That’s the nicest thing you can experience as a human in my eyes." Jelena is the director of the Novak Djokovic Charity Foundation which aims to enhance the Serbian education system to improve the lives of children. The couple has two of their own kids, Stefan and Tara, who were born in 2014 and 2017 respectively. Earlier this week, she posted an Instagram snap from Monaco, though she is often seen supporting her husband at many tennis events. Jelena could make the long trek Down Under if her husband continues to sweep his opponents aside. Novak Djokovic wife: Jelena Djokovic supports her husband around the world Jelena Djokovic enjoys the sunshine on Dominican Republic beach<doc-sep>Last updated on .From the section Tennis Novak Djokovic won his first Grand Slam title at the 2008 Australian Open, beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final Australian Open 2019 Venue: Melbourne Park Dates: 14-27 January Coverage: Daily live commentaries on the BBC Sport website, listen to Tennis Breakfast daily from 07:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and watch highlights on BBC TV and online from 19 January. World number one Novak Djokovic reached the Australian Open third round with a straight-set win over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The six-time champion in Melbourne beat the 33-year-old Frenchman 6-3 7-5 6-4. Tsonga, whose ranking has fallen to 177 after a knee injury restricted him to 12 matches in 2018, showed flashes of his ability but the Serb, 31, was always in control. Djokovic faces 19-year-old Canadian Denis Shapovalov, the 25th seed, next. The match against Tsonga was a repeat of the 2008 final in Melbourne, which the Serb won in four sets to secure his first Grand Slam title. "You could feel the tension on court at the beginning. We felt a lot of emotion and tried to play a great game," said Djokovic. "It's always tough to play Jo. He has struggled with injury and his ranking doesn't do him justice in my eyes."<doc-sep>Novak Djokovic has moved to clarify speculation around a possible ATP player revolt after making a brilliant start to his Australian Open campaign. Chasing a record seventh title at Melbourne Park, a pumped-up Djokovic powered to an impressive 6-3 6-2 6-2 win over American qualifier Mitchell Krueger on Rod Laver Arena. The win sets up a mouth-watering second round match-up with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, whom Djokovic beat in the 2008 final in Melbourne to claim his first grand slam. NIGHT 1 WRAP: KYRGIOS’ FRUSTRATING EXIT, DJOKER CRUISES ‘BERNIE BEING BERNIE’: HEWITT LAUGHS OFF TOMIC SPRAY ‘I’LL KNOCK HIM OUT’: REPORT CLAIMS NEXT-LEVEL THREAT FROM TOMIC Djokovic has been in the headlines well before hitting the court in Melbourne, amid reports the players council he chairs had voted to oust ATP chief executive Chris Kermode — a move that could rock the men’s tour. There was further controversy on Monday when Rafael Nadal seemed bothered be the fact he had not been consulted on the issue but the world No.1 attempted to hose down the drama after his round one victory. “First of all, we have to clear up the decision is not made, so... The decision has not been made and we still have time,” Djokovic said. “And the representatives on the council, player board representatives, will talk with Roger, Rafa, anybody who is interested to have a discussion about this. “Now, what is very important for everybody to understand is that Rafa has always been involved, no question about it. “Whether he was part of the political structure, council or not, he always tries to contribute to the game. And I need to credit him for that.” Djokovic said “not many players want to be involved” in council issues traditionally but that was changing and communication had improved in recent years. He indicated he would speak to Nadal and Roger Federer further on the issue and added the current debate was “not just about the president. It’s about the future of the sport.” “No one is getting paid for this in the council. We are all doing it because we care about the sport, we care about each other. That’s all it is.” Djokovic — firm favourite to win the title in Melbourne — had reached the Australian Open second round for 13 consecutive years and that streak was never threatened by Krueger, who was making his debut at Melbourne Park. Djokovic, appearing in his 300th Grand Slam match, did drop his second service game to go 1-2 behind in the first set but broke back immediately and went on to record his 259th match win in a major against a gritty but outclassed opponent. Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating United States' Mitchell Krueger. Source: AP “Playing him for the first time I didn’t know what to expect,” said the Serbian top seed. “He was very competitive and I had to work hard. I enjoyed it, hope you did too,” he said. Djokovic closed out last season magnificently, making an astonishing climb back from outside the world’s top 20 in June, winning Wimbledon and the US Open on the way to reclaiming the number one ranking in November. It was a stark contrast to the way he exited Melbourne a year ago at the hands of South Korea’s Chung Hyeon in the last 16. He then struggled as elbow surgery was followed by a string of poor results. Djokovic will take a trip down memory lane next when he plays old foe Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second round. Frenchman Tsonga was on the losing side in the 2008 Australian Open final as Djokovic won his first of 14 Grand Slams. “I have great respect for Jo,” said Djokovic. “We will face each other again on this great court, hopefully. I am looking forward to it.”<doc-sep>
Novak Djokovic began his bid for a record seventh Australian Open title in easy fashion Tuesday, crushing 230th-ranked American Mitchell Krueger 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena. The world number one had reached the Australian Open second round for 13 consecutive years and that streak was never threatened by the qualifier, who was making his debut at Melbourne Park. Djokovic, appearing in his 300th Grand Slam match, did drop his second service game to go 1-2 behind in the first set but broke back immediately and went on to record his 259th match win in a major against a gritty but outclassed opponent. "Playing him for the first time I didn't know what to expect," said the Serbian top seed. "He was very competitive and I had to work hard. I enjoyed it, hope you did too," he said. Djokovic closed out last season magnificently, making an astonishing climb back from outside the world's top 20 in June, winning Wimbledon and the US Open on the way to reclaiming the number one ranking in November. It was a stark contrast to the way he exited Melbourne a year ago at the hands of South Korea's Chung Hyeon in the last 16. He then struggled as elbow surgery was followed by a string of poor results. Djokovic will take a trip down memory lane next when he plays old foe Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the second round. Frenchman Tsonga was on the losing side in the 2008 Australian Open final as Djokovic won his first of 14 Grand Slams. "I have great respect for Jo," said Djokovic. "We will face each other again on this great court, hopefully. I am looking forward to it." Former world number four Tsonga missed seven months of 2018 after knee surgery and needed a wildcard to get into the tournament after his ranking dropped outside the top 200. But the unseeded 33-year-old, who has also reached five Grand Slam semi-finals in his career, will be a dangerous opponent, having enjoyed a run to the last four in his comeback tournament at Brisbane. And Tsonga is one of only three players to have recorded wins against Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal while the they were ranked number one. The other two are Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro. "If anyone has some advice how to play him, come and see me in my locker room," Djokovic joked.