Teenager tests Novak
AUSSIE OPEN: DROPS A SET TO PRIZMIC BUT NO TROUBLE FOR SABALENKA
Novak Djokovic survived a fierce test against teenager Dino Prizmic at the Australian Open yesterday as he launched his bid for a historic 25th Grand Slam, but defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka destroyed her opponent 6-0, 6-1.
World No 1 Djokovic, who is gunning for an 11th Australian Open title to pull clear of Margaret Court on the all-time list of majors, won 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4.
The Serbian, with 24 Slams under his belt, is already the most decorated player in the men’s game – two clear of the injured Rafael Nadal and four ahead of the retired Roger Federer.
The 36-year-old – now boasting a 29-match winning run in Melbourne – was expected to breeze through against Croatia’s Prizmic, who is half his age.
But after coasting to the first set he was given a searching examination by the youngster, who levelled the match in a tie-break.
The Croatian qualifier threatened to pull away in the third set but the veteran rallied from 3-2 down, reeling off the next eight games to seize control and he was able to snuff out another late fightback.
“He deserved every applause, every credit that he got [last] tonight,” said Djokovic after Prizmic left the court to a standing ovation from the Melbourne crowd.
“He’s an amazing player, so mature for his age and he handled himself on the court incredibly well. This is his moment, honestly. It could easily have been his match as well.”
Djokovic will be keen to iron out the kinks after an uncharacteristically sloppy display, which included 49 unforced errors.
Women’s second seed Sabalenka took to the court after 11.30pm, determined to wrap things up quickly and she demolished German qualifier Ella Seidel.
The Belarusian world No 2, clad in striking red on the blue court, raced through the first set 6-0 in just 22 minutes.
She was denied a rare “double-bagel” but made no mistake on her own serve to seal victory in 53 minutes.
“Super happy to be back in Melbourne – I have incredible memories from here,” said the 25-yearold.
“Hopefully I can stay here till the very last day.”
Men’s fifth seed Andrey Rublev was earlier given a scare when he was taken to five sets by 78thranked Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild after being two sets up.
Rublev failed to convert four match points on Seyboth Wild’s serve at 5-6 in the fifth set but he regained his composure in the decisive tie-break, rallying from 2-5 to triumph on his fifth match point after three hours and 42 minutes. –