Published January 14,2024
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Novak Djokovic was given a scare by Croatian teenager Dino Prižmić within the longest first-round match of his grand slam profession.
The world primary is a giant favorite to win an eleventh title at Melbourne Park, the place he has not misplaced since 2018, however he dropped the second set as 18-year-old Prižmić confirmed what makes him a significant expertise for the long run.
The qualifier was briefly a break up within the third set and saved battling after Djokovic stepped issues up earlier than the defending champion lastly clinched a 6-2 6-7 (5) 6-3 6-4 victory on his seventh match level after 4 hours and one minute.
This is Djokovic’s 73rd grand slam match and he was stuffed with reward for debutant Prižmić, saying: “He deserved every applause, every credit that he got tonight.
“He’s a tremendous participant I need to say, so mature for his age. This is his second and it may simply have been his match as nicely. He made me actually run for my cash for certain tonight. Amazing efficiency for somebody that’s 18 years previous that has by no means had expertise of taking part in on this stage.
“I certainly want to be in his corner, so hopefully he will invite me because we’re going to be seeing a lot of him in the future.”
The indicators didn’t look good for Prižmić when he dropped his opening service sport after which took a medical time-out at 2-3 for therapy to his left groin.
He already had tape on his proper arm and will discover nothing to harm Djokovic within the first set, however issues started to vary early within the second.
Djokovic gained a staggering 17 of his 19 tie-breaks at grand slams in 2023, together with 15 in a row from the second spherical in Melbourne to the Wimbledon closing, however right here he performed a really poor one and instantly what had appeared an easy event turned something however.
Djokovic, who was dabbing his forehead and puffing his cheeks, was making a variety of uncharacteristic errors and Prižmić fought again from 2-0 down within the third set to guide by a break at 3-2.
There was concern on the face of Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanišević, who was among the many spectators watching his countryman Prižmić’s run to the French Open junior title final yr.
Djokovic finally discovered a means via, however the 36-year-old’s rivals can have been watching carefully.
“I’m double his age,” mentioned the 10-time champion with a rueful smile. “Reality hits hard tonight. I struggled in many different moments, but he had an answer for everything. Now I have a couple of days, so hopefully I’ll be able to be at my best for the next match.”
Fifth seed Andrey Rublev was vastly relieved after edging previous Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild in a fifth-set tie-break.
Rublev had in his thoughts his good pal Daniil Medvedev’s exit to Seyboth Wild on the similar stage of the French Open final summer time and he trailed 4-1 within the deciding tie-break after seeing a two-set lead after which 4 match factors come and go.
But Rublev fought his means again to clinch a 7-5 6-4 3-6 4-6 7-6 (10/6) victory after three hours and 42 minutes.
Former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini was a casualty with out taking to the courtroom, the Italian pulling out as his harm woes continued.
Berrettini had been attributable to face Stefanos Tsitsipas on Rod Laver Arena on Monday in one of many plum ties of the primary spherical.
But on Sunday afternoon match organizers introduced he had withdrawn with a proper foot harm, making it the fourth time within the final eight grand slam tournaments the place he has not been in a position to play a match.
Berrettini has been changed within the draw by Belgian fortunate loser Zizou Bergs, who will tackle Tsitsipas.
Fourth seed Jannik Sinner, one of many favourites for the title following his stellar finish to 2023, started his marketing campaign with a straight-sets win over Botic van de Zandschulp.
Sinner, who beat Djokovic twice in a matter of days on the ATP Finals and Davis Cup in November, was a 6-4 7-5 6-3 winner on Rod Laver Arena.
The Italian didn’t play a warm-up match after his late end to final season and he mentioned: “I feel like I started off actually really well for the first match.
“Then after I had some moments the place I made a few improper selections, however this may occur. It was vital at this time for me as a result of I used to be trying ahead to stepping on the courtroom.”
Twelfth seed Taylor Fritz was twice a set right down to Facundo Diaz Acosta and wanted therapy after rolling his ankle however recovered to say a 4-6 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-4 victory.
Former finalist Marin Čilić performed his first grand slam match for the reason that US Open in 2022 following knee surgical procedure however was crushed in 4 units by Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
