Novak Djokovic had an unexpectedly tough match to start his campaign in Melbourne. The 10-time Australian Open champion lost the second set and trailed by a break in the third against teenager Dino Prijmic, but didn't let it spark a sensation, eventually cruising to a 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 success after four hours on court.
In his Slam tournament debut, the 18-year-old Croatian demonstrated why he is considered one of the most talented tennis players at the moment. Especially in the second and third sets he was completely equal to Nole.
Otherwise, Nole played in the clash with special shoes that had 24 - the number of Grand Slam titles - written on them, and in two weeks he may have to order a new model, now with 25 on them.
And another curious moment - in the first set the match had to be stopped briefly due to a phone call. As the Croatian was about to serve, the phone of one of the spectators in the stands was heard ringing. Initially the tennis players were confused, and the Serb was the first to react, and in a caustic manner.
In the second round Djokovic will meet a representative of the hosts - Alexey Popirin or Mark Polmans (participating with a wild card), who will compete on Monday.
Meanwhile, Taylor Fritz survived a 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 loss to Facundo Diaz Acosta.
Before that, Andrey Rublyov was also involved in a five-set thriller with Tiago Seibot Vilt. The Russian was on the verge of losing after dropping four match points over the course of the fifth set and trailing 2-5 in the tiebreak. However, the No. 5-ranked turned around the long game for the 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(6) final. / BGNES
