Novak Djokovic and coach Andy Murray came through another Australian Open test, this time against Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria under the roof of Rod Laver Arena.
On Monday, inspired American teenager Nishesh Basavareddy gave the 10-time champion the runaround for the opening hour of their first-round clash, and 21-year-old Faria presented another set of problems for Djokovic to solve.
But the 37-year-old took another step towards a 25th Grand Slam title by eventually coming through against the world No 125 6-1 6-7 (7-4) 6-3 6-2.
“I think I responded very well, the third and in particular the fourth set, the way I ended up the match,” said Djokovic.
“He was playing lights-out tennis. Towards the end of the second and beginning of the third, I had to weather the storm. He’s been practically playing two first serves. I told him at the net the future is bright for him.”
The gap in experience looked like a chasm in a one-sided opening set but Djokovic vented his frustration loudly at his own game and looked towards his box in exasperation at some of the play from Faria.
Djokovic fought back to level the second set at 5-5 and then complained to the umpire about the lights having been switched on as clouds descended on Melbourne Park.
They were duly switched off again but Djokovic’s mood darkened as Faria continued to make him uncomfortable, with the Serb saving a set point at 5-6 but then losing the tie-break.
He had a chat with Murray ahead of the third set, which was disrupted by a short rain delay and closure of the roof on Rod Laver Arena.
Djokovic received a time violation before the fifth game but finally broke serve to lead 4-2 and that proved to be the crucial moment.
“I love this court, I love competition,” Djokovic said after reaching the third round of the Australian Open for the 17th time with his 14th ace of the match.
It will be back to the practice court for Murray and Djokovic on Thursday and he will surely need to raise his game if he is to make it past Tomas Machac in the next round.
The Czech 26th seed survived a major test from giant American Reilly Opelka on Wednesday, winning 3-6 7-6 (7-1) 6-7 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.
Alcaraz aiming for ‘serve bot’ status in Melbourne
Carlos Alcaraz clubbed 14 aces in a whirlwind victory
Third seed Carlos Alcaraz brushed aside Yoshihito Nishioka 6-0 6-1 6-4 in 81 minutes to march into the third round.
Alcaraz got off to a blistering start and never looked back, winning the first nine games before Nishioka could even get on the board.
“I’m really happy with the serve today,” said Alcaraz, who wrote “Am I a serve bot?” on the camera lens.
“This is something that I worked on in the pre-season. In the first round I struggled a little bit, so I wasn’t too happy with the serve.
“Yesterday I was more focused on practising the serve. I spent more time just serving with Juan Carlos [Ferrero]with my team, and it’s something that I really want to be better. So I’m just glad that today it worked pretty well. Hopefully in the next round it is going to be better.”
Alcaraz will next meet Portugal’s Nuno Borgeswho upset 27th seed Jordan Thompson 6-3 6-2 6-4.
The Spaniard is bidding to become the youngest man in history to complete the career Grand Slam this fortnight.
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