Novak Djokovic survived the fear of the Australian Open, while Carlos Alcaraz entered the second round | Tennis news
Novak Djokovic survived an Australian Open first-round scare against Grand Slam debutant Nishesh Basavareddy, fighting back from down the stretch to win 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-2.
Basavareddy, just 19 and world No. 107, showed incredible strength, stamina and courage to win the first set on Rod Laver Arena – an especially impressive feat considering the American only turned pro last month and was playing in Australia as a wild card.
Djokovic, a 10-time winner in Melbourne, fought back though, and with Basavareddy struggling with cramps and fatigue towards the end of the second set, the Serb was on hand to level the contest as coach Andy Murray looked on.
That momentum continued in the third set, as Djokovic registered the one break he needed to win it, and with Basavareddy struggling with his first serve in the fourth – which proved to be a real threat earlier in the match – Djokovic managed to win the breaks and do the job.
The 37-year-old, seeded seventh at this year’s Australian Open, will next face Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria.
Alcaraz moves past Shevchenko in the second round
Carlos Alcaraz began his bid for a career Grand Slam with an imperfect but entertaining 6-1 7-5 6-1 victory over Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko.
Four-time major champion Alcaraz is aiming for his first trophy at Melbourne Park to become the youngest man to win all four Grand Slam titles, with the 21-year-old impressing after a somewhat nervous first leg.
I always say it’s hard work, Alcaraz said. “I try to do my best every day. That’s the secret. I try to be a better person and a better player every day.”
The third seed, still fine-tuning a new service move he adopted in the offseason, saved a break point and then a break in the third game to take complete control of the opening set that he closed out in double quick time.
Reigning French Open and Wimbledon winner Alcaraz found his range with several devastating winners on either flank to take a 3-1 lead in the second set, but world No. 77 Shevchenko won the next four games as the Margaret Court Arena fans rallied behind the underdog.
Alcaraz re-engaged and hit a fiery forehand winer for another break point and level in the 10th game when his opponent again began to feel the intense pressure and surrendered the set.
With the momentum definitely on the move, 2022 US Open champion Alcaraz clawed back games in the third set and finished it off with a huge ace on his fifth match point to book a second-round meeting with Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.
“He’s a really solid player,” Alcaraz said. “I have to focus on my shots. I hope I can enjoy the match, it will be difficult. I will try to play good tennis that people will enjoy.”
Meanwhile, Bulgarian 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov withdrew injured as he trailed 5-7 1-2 to Italy’s lucky loser Francesco Passaro, becoming the first top-10 player to exit the tournament.
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