MELBOURNE: In a thrilling encounter at the Australian Open on Wednesday, defending champion Novak Djokovic overcame a significant challenge to secure a third-round spot. Facing home favorite Alexei Popyrin, the 36-year-old Serbian, aiming for his record-extending 11th Melbourne crown, found himself in a precarious situation during the third set. A surge of errors placed Djokovic on the brink, forcing him to save four set points.
Amidst a tense atmosphere with a fervent night-time crowd at the edge of their seats, top-seeded Djokovic drew upon his extensive experience. Winning a crucial tiebreak, he then broke Popyrin’s spirit in the fourth set, ultimately gaining control of the match. Djokovic smoothly navigated through the final set, securing his 30th consecutive victory at the Australian Open. Despite this triumph, Djokovic acknowledged being tested for the second consecutive round, acknowledging moments where he appeared less than his optimal self.
Reflecting on the match, Djokovic mentioned that he missed an easy forehand, and I was fortunate to escape that game. The Serbian player also revealed that he was stirred by a heckling fan as the match approached its conclusion.
“He was the better player for a set and a half but the momentum shifted after the tiebreak.”
Djokovic, aiming to secure his 25th Grand Slam title and set a new record, faced a challenging four-hour battle in his opening round against Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic on Sunday. Despite the grueling start, Djokovic swiftly claimed the opening set against Popyrin in just 39 minutes, hinting at a potentially straightforward victory.
With a formidable 13-1 record against Australian players at Grand Slams, Djokovic initially maintained control, but 24-year-old Popyrin showcased resilience, particularly in converting a crucial break point at 1-2 in the second set. Despite both players facing challenges, Djokovic ultimately prevailed in a tense tiebreak, offering a glimpse of hope to his third-round opponent, Argentina’s Tomas Etcheverry.
