Novak Djokovic battled back from 5-2 down in the first set to beat Quentin Halys 7-6, 7-6 and move into the Adelaide International quarter-finals on Thursday.
The 64th-ranked Halys has never beaten a top-10 opponent but gave Djokovic plenty of worrying moments before the Serb held his nerve to clinch the match in two tiebreakers.
Djokovic's win extended his winning streak in Australia to 31 matches in singles competition as he ramps up preparations for the Australian Open later this month, where he is seeking a record-extending 10th crown.
The 35-year-old Serb was unable to defend his title last year after he was deported on the eve of the tournament for not being vaccinated against Covid-19.
"It was a great performance from my opponent today. I want to congratulate him for great quality and a great fight. Tough luck but he played like a top-10 player today, no doubt," Djokovic, now ranked fifth in the world, said of Halys.
"As far as my game goes, I feel good on the court. I didn't have such a great start, I lost my serve early. He was serving really well, fast, big serves, hitting his spots in the box very well.
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Novak Djokovic takes a selfie with fans after winning his first round match against France's Constant Lestienne at the ATP Adelaide International on January 3, 2023. AFP -
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning his match against Constant Lestienne of France. Getty Images -
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic takes a selfie with fans after winning his first round match against France's Constant Lestienne at the ATP Adelaide International. AFP -
Novak Djokovic signs autographs. AFP -
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates winning his match against Constant Lestienne of France. Getty Images -
Serbia's Novak Djokovic at the net with France's Constant Lestienne. AP Photo -
Serbia's Novak Djokovic signs autographs. AP Photo -
Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays a backhand return to France's Constant Lestienne. AP Photo -
Supporters of Novak Djokovic hold up a Serbia flag. Getty Images -
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic serves during his first round match against France's Constant Lestienne. AFP
"Just difficult to play in this kind of court that is really fast. It kind of favours the server. If you're serving well, it's tough to break the serve of a big server like him, so two tiebreaks were probably the most realistic score."
Djokovic will next play Denis Shapovalov, who he has beaten in all seven of their meetings.
"Denis is one of the most complete players out there, he's got a very dynamic style of tennis, a big serve, comes to the net and comfortable playing from the back of the court," Djokovic added.
"He's a very great athlete, moves fantastically. We haven't played for a while so I'm looking forward to that. Every match now gets tougher, I'm going to be ready for that."
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Serbia's Novak Djokovic, centre, poses for a selfie with a fan after his doubles match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, Monday, January 2, 2023. AP Photo -
Novak Djokovic poses for a selfie with a fan after his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil at the ATP Adelaide International. AFP -
Serbia's Novak Djokovic with fans after losing his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters -
Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Vasek Pospisil of Canada compete against against Tomislav Brkic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Gonzalo Escobar of Ecuador. Getty Images -
Novak Djokovic in action during his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters -
A fan watches through a fence the first round doubles match between Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters -
Novak Djokovic of Serbia in action. EPA -
Novak Djokovic of Serbia signs autographs for fans. EPA -
Fans watch Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during his first round doubles match with Canada's Vasek Pospisil against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. Reuters -
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic hits a return during his first round doubles match with Canadian Vasek Pospisil. AFP -
Novak Djokovic hits a return. AFP -
Novak Djokovic reacts to winning a point. AFP -
Novak Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil talk tactics. AFP -
Novak Djokovic plays a return shot during his doubles match against Bosnia's Tomislav Brkic and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament. AP Photo -
Novak Djokovic poses for a selfie with a young fan. AP Photo -
Fans of Novak Djokovic hold a sign during the doubles match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament. AP Photo -
Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his doubles match against Tomislav Brkic of Bosnia and Ecuador's Gonzalo Escobar. AP Photo -
Canada's Vasek Pospisil and Serbia's Novak Djokovic talk tactics. AP Photo -
Novak Djokovic plays a return shot. AP Photo -
Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts with Canada's Vasek Pospisil. AP Photo
