Novak Djokovic advanced to the second round of the Australian Open after a hard-fought four-set victory over Nishesh Basavareddy, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, in nearly three hours of play. The 107th-ranked American held off the 10-time champion in Melbourne for about two sets, but then lacked the physical strength to make a surprise at the start.
Basavareddy started with a very solid game from the baseline and naturally made a break in the seventh game, which he managed to hold until the end of the opening set. In the second set, Novak pressed and it paid off. In the next two sets, the Serb was simply better on the court, with Basavareddy not the same player who pressed his far more distinguished opponent in the first hour and a half of the match. In the end, the Joker successfully started his campaign with Andy Murray in his coaching staff and in search of the 100th title of his career.
Nole tied Roger Federer in the number of matches in the Slam with 429. For the 18th time, Djokovic overcomes the first round of a Grand Slam tournament. The next challenge for the 37-year-old tennis player is the qualifier Jaime Faria of Portugal, who is 125th in the world.
The tournament ended for the fan favourite in Melbourne Nick Kyrgios, who was defeated by the Briton Jacob Fearnley with 6-7 (3), 3-6, 6-7 (2). | BGNES
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