DJOKOVIC DESTROYER
NOVAK SHOWS HIS CLASS:
NOVAK Djokovic needed less than two hours to stamp himself as a serious Australian Open contender yesterday.
The six-time Melbourne Park champion crushed American Donald Young 6-1 6-2 6-4 in his first official match in six months.
Apart from an adjusted service action, the Serbian superstar showed no signs of the elbow injury that had sidelined him since Wimbledon as he booked a date with flashy Frenchman Gael Monfils.
“It’s always great to be back on the court. There’s no better place to start playing than here in Australia. I love playing here,” Djokovic said.
“It’s been a long period for me without any competition – first match after six months, you never know how you’re going to start out of the blocks.
“I was so grateful I had this opportunity to be here because a month ago I didn’t know.”
The 12-time grand slam champion said his time away from tennis had allowed him the opportunity to reflect on his career and life, and devote time to his growing family.
He and wife Jelena celebrated the birth of Tara, a sister for Stefan, 3, in September.
“I spent as much quality time with my family. Obviously becoming a parent for a second time is a great blessing,” Djokovic said.
“So I had my hands full, even through I didn’t have a racquet in my hand. They’re not with me. I miss them, but I missed tennis as well.”
His family may not have been in Margaret Court Arena for his successful comeback, but his superstar coach Andre Agassi was. Agassi is sharing Djokovic’s coaching duties with recently retired Czech Radek Stepanek.
“I thank him from the bottom of my heart,” Djokovic said of Agassi, a four-time Open champion.
Swiss star Stan Wawrinka survived a mini-meltdown against Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis to progress.
The ninth seed, a late confirmation for the Open because of knee pain, dropped seven consecutive games and berated Berankis’s box for talking, but lived to fight on with a 6-3 6-4 2-6 7-6 (7-2) win.
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev scrapped his way to a 6-1 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 win against Thomas Fabbiano.
Former semi-finalist and 22nd seed Milos Raonic was a casualty, falling to Slovakian Lukas Lacko 6-7 (7-5) 7-5 6-4 7-6 (7-4). Raonic said he was off the pace due to a frustrating run of injuries that limited his court time last year.