Djokovic into third round as he avoids shock defeat by Popyrin
Defending champion Novak Djokovic survived a scare for the second match in succession to reach the third round of the Australian Open.
Djokovic, who came through the longest first-round match of his grand slam career on Sunday, had to save four set points on his serve to avoid falling 2-1 down to Australia’s Alexei Popyrin on Rod Laver Arena.
The world no 1 eventually took the third set on a tie-break and appeared to be inspired by an exchange of words with a spectator in the fourth on his way to a 6-3 4-6 7-6 (4) 6-3 victory.
It was not clear if the 10-time champion asked for the spectator to be removed but former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, who is commentating for TV, said on Eurosport: “Just say the word Novak and I’ll run out of this commentary box and escort him out myself.”
Popyrin was left to rue failing to convert any of his four set points in the ninth game of the third set and Djokovic said in his on-court interview: “He had quite an easy forehand and he missed it. id idn’ t do anything special,iw as lucky at that point and that game to get away. He was the better player for a set and a half. The momentum shifted in the tie-break, I managed to put one more ball in the court than he did but that’s all.
“I think I played maybe at the highest level in some instances but also credit to him for tactically coming out with the right game plan and serving big. He deserves a big round of applause for the performance.
“I haven’t been playing my best but particularly in the early rounds you play players who have nothing to lose, they come out on the centre court trying to play their best tennis and I think both my first and second round opponents were really great quality tennis players and I managed to find a way to win.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to build as the tournament progress es .”
Stefano st sit sip as, who lost to Djokovic in last year’s final, also had to save four set points on his way to victory over another Australian, jordan thompson.
Thompson took the opening set and had four chances at 5-6 in the fourth set to force a de cider before Tsitsipas sealed a 4-6 7-6 (6) 6-2 7-6 (4) victory.
Fourth seed Jannik Sinner enjoyed a far easier day as he thrashed Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong 6-26-26-2 on Margaret court arena, but 17 th seed Frances Tiafoe was beaten in straight sets by Czech world No 75 Tomas Machac.
In the women’s singles, teenage star Mirra Andreeva produced a stunning performance to demolish Ons Jabeur in the second round. The 16-year-old counts Jabeur as her idol but she was utterly ruthless under the roof on Rod Laver Arena, defeating the sixth seed and two-time Wimbledon finalist 6-0 6-2 in just 54 minutes.
Another young Russian making waves in Melbourne is 20-year-old qualifier Maria Timofeeva, who is playing in the main draw of a grand slam for the first time and ended formerchampion caro li new oz ni a ck i’ s comeback.
The Dane retired here four years ago and is back with her two young children in tow but she could not build on a strong start, losing 1-6 6-4 6-1.
Remarkably, there were three 16-year-olds playing in the second round yesterday, but Andreeva is the only one left.
Her fellow Russian Alina Korneeva went down 6-1 6-2 to 10 th seed beatriz had dad maia, while Czech qualifier Brenda Fruhvirtova suffered a 6-3 6-2 defeat to defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.