Novak Djokovic Begins Title defence with victory over Dino Prizmic

Djokovic made a successful start to his attempt for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title with a 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 triumph against Dino Prizmic, but not before the Croatian had announced himself on the Grand Slam stage in style.

Prizmic, who qualified for the main draw for the first time at a major, played a fantastic match against the 24-time major winner, especially in the second and third sets in their four-hour, one-minute contest, which was the longest first-round match of the World No. 1’s career.

The 178th-ranked Prizmic, who is 18 years old, battled the legendary Serbian player head-to-head from the baseline and once took a 3-2 lead thanks to a break in the third set.

“He deserved every applause, every credit that he got tonight,” said Djokovic after Prizmic left the court to a standing ovation from the Melbourne crowd. “He’s an amazing player, so mature for his age and he handled himself on the court incredibly well.

“This is his moment, honestly. It could easily have been his match as well. He was a break up in the third, he fought even though he was 0-4 and a break point down [in the fourth set]. He fought. He showed great mentality and resilience. He really made me run for my money tonight.”

Djokovic has now won his past 29 matches at the Australian Open, where he holds a 90-8 record overall. The 36-year-old’s next test in Melbourne will be a second-round meeting with a home favourite — either Alexei Popyrin or wild card Marc Polmans.

Elsewhere, Andrey Rublev survived a major scare to overcome the Brazilian 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(10-6) and reach the second round in Melbourne for the seventh time in eight appearances.

World No. 12 Taylor Fritz was another high-seeded player who escaped a five-set scare, rallying from behind to defeat unheralded Argentine left-hander Facundo Diaz Acosta 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the second round.

Jannik Sinner made a winning start to his 2024 season on Sunday’s historic opening day of play at the Australian Open.

The World No.4 and Italian power past Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 in two hours and 34 minutes to reach the second round in Melbourne.