Djokovic bids for Grand Slam history as Rublev survives scare at Australian Open

MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic launched his bid for Grand Slam history at the Australian Open on Sunday (Jan 14) against an 18-year-old qualifier after fifth seed Andrey Rublev survived a huge scare to progress.

Women's second seed Aryna Sabalenka starts her own title defence later in the evening session on a breezy opening day in Melbourne.

World number one Djokovic is gunning for his 11th Australian Open title and 25th major, which would take him clear of Margaret Court on the all-time list.

The Serbian, with 24 Grand Slams, 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.

Djokovic came within a whisker of completing a calendar Grand Slam last year, winning three majors and losing a thrilling Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz.

The 36-year-old, who beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in last year's title match in Melbourne, is the hot favourite again and will be fancied to breeze through his opener against Croatia's Dino Prizmic.

The age gap of 18 years and 75 days between the two is the greatest in an Australian Open men's match since Ken Rosewall downed qualifier Cary Stansbury in 1978.

"I'm just hoping I can start the season in a way that I have been starting my seasons, most of my seasons, throughout my career, with a win here in Australia, in Melbourne," said Djokovic.

"It's my favourite place, no doubt."

Earlier, Rublev was cruising against Brazil's Thiago Seyboth Wild - a set ahead and 5-1 up in the second.

He pulled into a 2-0 lead but 78th-ranked Seyboth Wild refused to lie down and breaks in the third and fourth sets set up a tantalising decider against the two-time quarter-finalist.

Rublev failed to convert four match points on Seyboth Wild?s