Australian Open: Djokovic downs Van de Zandschlup to earn 400th grand slam win

Novak Djokovic recorded his 400th win at a grand slam in a historic straight-sets victory over Botic van de Zandschulp at the Australian Open.

The record 10-time champion in Melbourne had to hold his nerve

to triumph 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) to become the first player in the Open Era to hit the 400-win landmark.

Djokovic was forced to hold off an early break point as Van de Zandschulp started brightly, but the Serb went a break up in the next game to gain momentum.

He had to wait to take the first set, though, missing the chance to clinch it at 5-2 up, but he eventually converted on his third attempt.

Djokovic raced into a 3-0 lead in the second set, at which point Van de Zandschlup received treatment on his shoulder before earning a break back, but he could not build that into an advantage.

The Serbian did, however, come close to being disqualified all together. In the seventh game of the second, after squandering two crucial break points, he struck a ball whose trajectory passed just inches from a ball girl.

The 38-year-old did, however, recompose to win his final two service games to love, but he was pushed all the way in the final set, as the pair traded breaks early on.

They then struggled to gain points on the other's serve, though Djokovic had to save two break points before the tie-break, in which he got over the line to continue his run of not dropping a set in Melbourne this year.

400 - Novak Djokovic (400) is the first male or female player in the Open Era to claim 400 Singles match wins at Grand Slam events. Milestone. #AusOpen | @AustralianOpen @atptour pic.twitter.com/zfQNHVIGOc

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 24, 2026

Data Debrief: Djokovic adds more history

No other player has ever managed to hit the number of wins that Djokovic did on Saturday, but it was also a big win for him at the Australian Open.

He now has 102 victories at Melbourne Park, level with Roger Federer's all-time record, so a win in the round of 16 would see him make even more history.

Djokovic has booked his place in the fourth round at the tournament for the 18th time (the joint-most, along with Federer), while it is the 70th time he has reached that stage at a grand slam event.