Novak Djokovic made it through a big first-round scare versus teenage qualifier Dino Prizmic at the Australian Open.
History-chasing Djokovic, bidding for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam, discovered himself a break down in the 3rd set before going on to win 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-4 in Melbourne.
The world No 1, trying to find his 11th title Down Under, needed to fight for 4 hours and 2 minutes before winning through.
It was the longest opening match of a Grand Slam he has actually played as the Serb made it through a considerable test in his mission to surpass Margaret Court and stand alone at the top of the sport.
More to follow …
Berrettini leaves of Grand Slam without playing a single match
Matteo Berrettini’s injury issues continues after the previous Wimbledon finalist took out of the Australian Open.
Matteo Berrettini took out of the competition without playing a match as his injury issues continued.
The previous Wimbledon finalist had actually been because of deal with Stefanos Tsitsipas in the preliminary on Rod Laver Arena on Monday in among the plum ties of the preliminary.
However on Sunday afternoon the competition revealed he had actually withdrawn with an ideal foot injury, making it the 4th time in the last 8 Grand Slam competitions where he has actually not had the ability to play a match.
The popular Italian, a semi-finalist in Melbourne in 2022, has actually been off the trip considering that suffering an ankle injury throughout his second-round match versus Arthur Rinderknech at the United States Open.
He had actually formerly missed out on the French Open since of a stomach injury, while in 2022 he likewise remained Roland Garros following hand surgical treatment and after that evaluated favorable for Covid-19 ahead of Wimbledon.
When ranked as high as world No 6, the 27-year-old, beaten by Djokovic in the Wimbledon last in 2021, is now down at 125.
He has actually been changed in the draw by Belgian fortunate loser Zizou Bergs, who will handle Tsitsipas on Monday.
Jannik Sinner is on a hot streak after a strong surface to 2023 where he directed Italy to the Davis Cup title.
4th seed Jannik Sinner, among the favourites for the title following his excellent end to 2023, started his project with a straight-sets win over Botic Van De Zandschulp.
Sinner, who beat Djokovic two times in a matter of days at the ATP Finals and Davis Cup in November, was a 6-4 7-5 6-3 winner on Rod Laver Arena.
The Italian did not play a warm-up competition after his late surface to last season, and he stated: “I seem like I began in fact truly well for the very first match.
” Then after, I had some minutes where I made a number of incorrect options, however this can occur. Even if you made possibly some matches, this can occur. Perhaps you are a bit worn out in some cases.
” It was necessary today for me since I was eagerly anticipating stepping on the court.”
American 12th seed Taylor Fritz made it through a first-round test from Argentine Facundo Diaz Acosta to win 4-6 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-4 in a 4 hour thriller.
The 26-year-old prevented an early exit, having actually bailed out in the 2nd round in 2015.
5th seed Andrey Rublev combated his method past Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild 7-5 6-4 3-6 4-6 7-6 (7-6) in 3 hours and 42 minutes.
Previous finalist Marin Cilic played his very first Grand Slam match considering that the United States Open in 2022 following knee surgical treatment however was beaten in 4 sets by Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan
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