Champ Djokovic survives early scare
Big guns record easy first round victories
MELBOURNE: Defending champion Novak Djokovic dropped his first set in the opening round of the Australian Open since 2006 yesterday before grinding down Jan-Lennard Struff to keep his quest for a record eighth title on track.
The 16-time major winner finally got the job done 7-6 (7/5), 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena for his 900th career win to make the second round at Melbourne Park for a 14th consecutive year.
“Credit to him for fighting, he’s a very powerful player,” said Serbia’s Djokovic, who is seeking to become only the third man to win eight or more titles at the same Grand Slam after Rafael Nadal (12 at Roland Garros) and Roger Federer (eight at Wimbledon).
“I started well, there was a close tiebreak and in the second set I played well, but he turned it around.
“Obviously when you are on the court, especially in my position I am expected to win most of my matches.
“There is a lot of pressure and a lot of different emotions involved. I definitely try to remind myself to stay present and really enjoy.”
The last time he dropped a set at the first hurdle in Melbourne was 2006 before going on a streak of 41 straight sets during round one matches until Germany’s Struff crashed the party.
Earlier yesterday, Serena Williams and Roger Federer avoided chaos caused by rain as heavy downpours forced organisers to postpone a swathe of matches on the first day.
After a build-up disrupted by smoke from deadly wildfires, a prolonged rain storm struck in mid-afternoon, sending thousands of spectators scurrying for cover.
While play continued at the three stadiums with retractable roofs, 17 of the 64 scheduled matches were postponed, ensuring a big backlog for today.
Wet conditions are unusual for the Australian Open, which is more used to extreme heat and was plagued by smog from bushfires during qualifying, when players suffered coughing fits and breathing problems.
World No.3 Federer was briefly hauled off court while the roof was closed on Rod Laver Arena before returning to complete a routine 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over American Steve Johnson.
Williams, on the hunt for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title, won the first set against Anastasia Potapova in just 19 minutes as she cruised to a 6-0, 6-3 win in less than an hour.
“I feel like I can still improve and get better throughout this tournament, for sure. This is a good stepping stone for right now,” Williams said.
However, Williams’ elder sister Venus was ousted in stunning fashion by 15-year-old Coco Gauff, who won 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 in a repeat of her first-round upset at Wimbledon last year.
“I believe I can beat anyone, but I think that’s almost every player’s mentality,” she said.
Defending champion Naomi Osaka dismissed Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-4 in 80 minutes.
Former champion Caroline Wozniacki, playing her last tournament before retiring, safely reached the second round as she beat Kristie Ahn 6-1, 6-3.
In the evening session on the covered centre court, Australian world No.1 Ashleigh Barty recovered strongly from a set down to beat Lesia Tsurenko 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.
In the men’s draw, Greek sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who beat Federer en route to last year’s semis, crushed Salvatore Caruso 6-0, 6-2, 6-3.
In other results, Canadian 13th seed Denis Shapovalov argued furiously with the umpire over a code violation for throwing his racquet as he lost in four sets to Marton Fucsovics.
Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens became the highest seed to exit the women’s draw.
The 2017 winner at Flushing Meadows and 24th seed in Melbourne lost in three sets to Zhang Shuai 2-6, 7-5, 6-2 with Stephens having now lost all of her three matches in 2020.