Djokovic digs deep to reach Australian Open third round

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts on a point against Australia’s Alexei Popyrin during their men’s singles match on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 17, 2024. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) /

Novak Djokovic survived a huge scare to reach the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday, beating home favourite Alexei Popyrin to stay on track for a historic 25th Grand Slam title.

The world number one showed his trademark mental strength to face down his inspired opponent, prevailing 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 in more than three hours.

It followed a gruelling first-round match on Sunday, when he was kept on court for more than four hours by teenager Dino Prizmic, admitting afterwards he was “a bit under the weather”.

The Serbian, who let out a huge roar after sealing victory over Popyrin, said the Australian was the better player for a set and a half but that momentum shifted in the third-set tie-break.

“I haven’t been playing my best,” he added. “I’m still trying to find form. But, particularly in the early rounds, you face players who have nothing to lose really.

“They come out on centre court trying to play their best match.

“Both my first and second-round opponents were really quality tennis players. I managed to find a way to win in four, that’s what counts in the end. Hopefully I can find a way to build on this as the tournament progresses.”

The 10-time champion cruised through the first set on Rod Laver Arena.

But his unforced error count ticked up in the second set and he was broken for the first time in the fourth game.

Popyrin appeared to have blown his chance to level when he produced a sloppy service game when serving for the set.

However, Djokovic, again looking out of sorts