Novak Djokovic vs. Hyeon Chung: Score and Reaction from 2016 Australian Open

Defending champion Novak Djokovic had little trouble Monday in his first-round Australian Open match against Chung Hyeon, defeating the 19-year-old in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. 

To say Djokovic has success on the hard court would be an understatement, per ESPN Tennis:

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Five-time #AusOpen champ Djokovic scores his 455th hard court career win, d. rising star Chung 63 62 64. pic.twitter.com/Nlub67wKL7

— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) January 18, 2016"

Chung, ranked No. 52 in the world, is a rising star in the sport, but he met his match when taking on tennis' best player for the first time. To be fair, most who face Djokovic suffer the same fate as Chung, per ESPN Tennis:

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 FUN FACT Djokovic’s 82-6 record in '15 ranks 6th in Open Era among best seasons on #ATP. McEnroe’s 82-3 season in '84 remains best so far.

— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) January 18, 2016"

Andrew Eichenholz of World Tennis Magazine thought Chung did all he could to hang with one of the world's best:

Before Djokovic pulled away toward the end of the first set, freelance tennis writer Tumaini Carayol gave a great analogy for the effort from both players:

Despite the win, Djokovic didn't appear to be happy with his play early on, per tennis writer Jose Morgado of Portugal's Diario Record:

He was never in danger of losing the match, but that's what happens when you are the best in the world and expect perfection. But Djokovic did get through his first-round match without losing a set and ended strong with a fierce forehand to the right corner that Chung had no chance to return.

He was also perfect on at least one stat, according to Simon Briggs of the Telegraph:

Ricky Dimon of the Grandstand summed up the victory and Djokovic's overall dominance:

The No. 1-ranked player will face the winner of the match between Quentin Halys and Ivan Dodig in the second round. Of course, with the way Djokovic is playing, it might not matter who is on the other side of the net as he attempts to win his fifth Australian Open in six years.

Post-match Reaction

The defending champ congratulated his opponent for his effort after the match, per the Australian Open:

In his post-match interview, Djokovic gave credit to Chung (via Matt Wilansky of ESPN.com), calling him a rising star and wishing him all the best. He also said he was glad to be back in Australia.

"This court [Rod Laver Arena] is my most successful in my career," Djokovic said in his on-court interview. "I've had many memorable moments. It's great to be back.

In a light-hearted moment, he also credited fatherhood with helping him succeed on the court and had a message for his wife, per Wilansky.

"Darling, I guess we need to make more babies."