Despite losing the first set, Novak Djokovic has reached the second round of the Australian Open. The Serbian disposed of the young American Nishesh Basavareddy in four sets.
Ten-time winner of the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic (7th in the world) began his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title in Melbourne on Monday with a victory in four sets against the young American Nishesh Basavareddy (107th). The Serb overcame the first set loss to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 and join Jannik Sinner (1st), Alexander Zverev (2nd) and Carlos Alcaraz (3rd) in the second round of the ‘Australian Open. He will face the Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria (125th), who defeated Russian Pavel Kotov (97th) 6-1, 6-1, 7-5 in the first round.
Under the eyes of his former rival and now coach Andy Murray, recruited in November, Djokovic struggled for a set and a half, manhandled by a Basavareddy alternating heavy groundstrokes and subtle cushioning shots. The Olympic champion ended up finding the fault in the 2nd set, won 6-3 and ended with a grimace of pain from Basavareddy, touched in the left thigh and massaged before the start of the third set. Djokovic was then no longer worried by the American in the last two sets, converting his fourth match point with a final ace.
Swiss
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