Dino Prizmich made life difficult for world number 178 Novak Djokovic by keeping the top favorite from Melbourne on court for four hours. The Serb advanced to the second round of the Australian Open 2024 after winning in four sets (6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4).

Novak DjokovicPhoto: Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire/AP/Profimedia

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10-times Melbourne champion Nole started the match the way he wanted, seizing the initiative and dominating the first set to win 6-2.

After qualifying, Dino started to hit harder, defending very well and forcing Nole to constantly hit the extra ball.

Still not in the form that has led him to the Australian Open title almost year after year, Jokerul reached the tiebreak where he lacked inspiration. He lost the set (7-5), and the tie was unexpectedly restored.

The third set was no cakewalk for Djokovic either, although the set started 2-0 in favor of the ATP leader. The score was 3-2 in favor of the Croat, Prizmich managed two breaks against Nole, who had some modest game moments.

But it was the end of hopes for the 18-year-old Croatian, and she ended up outside the top 150 in the world.

It was harder and harder for him to find his rhythm, he looked more and more physically tired, his shots were no longer hitting the target and not bothering his much more famous opponent (Joker won the set 6-3).

In fact, after trailing 3-2 with a break in the third set, Dino lost the next eight games in a row as Djokovic delivered a monologue to the Rod Laver Arena crowd.

In the first phase, Horvath fought to avoid a bagel (losing the set 6-0), and later even managed to “tie” three games in a row (from 4-0 to 4-3).

However, he did not have enough strength to overturn Djokovic (although he saved six match points), the Serb closed the first set (6-4) and the match after four hours and one minute.

Know:

  • It was Nole’s 90th win in Australian Open history.
  • In the second round, Djokovic will meet the winner of the match between Oleksiy Popyrin (43 ATP) and Mark Polmans (156 ATP).
  • The record holder for the number of Grand Slam titles (24 trophies), Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open ten times: in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023.

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Quarter-finals if the favorites respect their status

Novak Djokovic (1) – Stefanos Tsitsipas (7)

Yannick Sinner (4) – Andriy Rublyov (5)

Runa Holger (8) – Daniil Medvedev (3)

Oleksandr Zverev (6) – Carlos Alcaraz (2).

Australian Open 2024 will be held from January 14 to 28. The reigning champions are Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenko.