Fresh off his first ATP title since 2019, Lajovic kept the milestones coming with his opening victory in Madrid.

Even if Carlos Alcaraz wins the Masters 1000 event, Djokovic will still keep the top spot by five ranking points.

The 22-time major champion went just 1 for 16 on his break point chances in defeat Friday.

Baez enters this match as a heavy favorite, but Lajovic will make him earn his spot in the next round.

Dusan Lajovic spoiled Daniil Medvedev's Top 3 debut on Wednesday after ousting the top seed, 7-6 (4), 6-4, at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament. Alexander Bublik also pulled off a Top 10 win, eliminating world No. 7 Alexander Zverev, 7-5, 6-3.

In his first match of the 2021 season, the No. 1-ranked Serb beat the Canadian No. 1 in two tight sets to extend his winning streak in Australia to 21 matches. He then took the court again to lead Serbia to a 2-1 victory in the tie.

Djokovic remained in the singles draw, where he is seeded No. 1 and is scheduled to play his second-round match Monday.

Fans packed the stands for the launch of the new exhibition series, as the ATP's world No. 1 headlined the opening day in his home country.

He finished runner-up in his first three Grand Slam finals. Whenever, and wherever, the Austrian gets another opportunity to come in first, he’ll cherish the moment, and remember his journey.

After Dusan Lajovic kicked things off by defeating Karen Khachanov, the world No. 2 ended his losing streak against the 2019 US Open finalist to wrap up his country's win.