Djokovic lacking fight in defeat, says Becker
NOVAK Djokovic’s former coach Boris Becker has criticised the Serbian for lacking fight and playing too defensively during his shock Australian Open defeat to Denis Istomin.
Becker and Djokovic split at the end of last year following a disappointing run of form for the 29-yearold, who failed to win Wimbledon, the Olympics or the US Open.
Djokovic also surrendered the world number one spot to Andy Murray.
The new season was supposed to represent a fresh start, but Djokovic was beaten 7-6 (10/8) 5-7 2-6 7-6 (7/5) 6-4 by wildcard Istomin in an epic encounter on Rod Laver Arena.
It is the first time he has lost before the third round of a grand slam in 34 attempts, since he bowed out at the same stage of Wimbledon in 2008.
“I’m really shocked that Novak Djokovic lost,” said Becker.
“I thought he was playing much too defensive and never really took the initiative and never really fought for it. I absolutely never expected him to have trouble with Denis Istomin. No disrespect, but Nole is a six-time Australian Open champion.
“But I could tell in the first set he was way too defensive and way too passive. The first set in a three out of five match is always very important.
“In the fourth set again he was a bit lethargic and not playing at full power.
“Then once you’re in the fifth set anything can happen and credit to Denis, he kept his composure, he kept his nerve, he went a break up and kept serving well and hitting the lines so it’s well deserved.”
Johanna Konta underlined her status as a genuine contender for the Australian Open title by thrashing Japan’s Naomi Osaka to reach the third round.
Osaka is widely considered a future star of the women’s game, but the 19-year-old was handed a lesson in ruthless efficiency on Rod Laver Arena as Konta stormed to a 6-4 6-2 victory.
Britain’s Heather Watson squandered five match points before losing to American qualifier Jennifer Brady and crashing out of the Australian Open.
Watson missed all five opportunities to reach round three in a tense deciding set, lasting 86 minutes, having also served for the match when leading 5-4 in the second.
The British number two allowed nerves to get the better of her on Court 13, however, as Brady snatched a shock 2-6 7-6 (7/3) 10-8 victory in her first-ever grand slam main draw.
Kyle Edmund’s Australian Open campaign came to a tame end as he was outclassed 6-2 6-4 6-2 by Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta in the second round.