Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates after profitable his first spherical match towards Spain’s Pedro Martinez. Photograph: REUTERS
MELBOURNE:
Novak Djokovic started his hunt for a report twenty fifth Grand Slam title with a 6-3 6-2 6-2 win over unseeded Spaniard Pedro Martinez within the Australian Open first spherical on Monday, the Serb easing pre-tournament considerations about his health with a glowing show.
Doubts had been raised about Djokovic’s preparedness for the main he has received a report 10 instances after the 38-year-old skipped the Adelaide tune-up occasion and minimize brief observe on Sunday, however he had no bother sealing his a hundredth match win at Melbourne Park.
A probably tough begin towards first-time opponent Martinez changed into a routine exercise when Djokovic seized management with a break and by no means loosened his grip beneath the intense lights of Rod Laver Enviornment to take the opening set.
Regardless of final enjoying in November when he claimed his one hundred and first profession title in Athens, Djokovic barely missed a beat as he let rip a fiery crosscourt winner en path to breaking early and wrapping up the second set.
Whereas the highlight has largely swung towards reigning Melbourne champion Jannik Sinner and world primary Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic reminded the duo of his risk with some elegant tennis to energy by way of the third set and prevail.
Swiatek fends off Yuan
Iga Swiatek launched her bid for a primary Australian Open title with an unconvincing 7-6(5) 6-3 win over Chinese language qualifier Yuan Yue beneath the lights at Rod Laver Enviornment on Monday.
Six-times Grand Slam champion Swiatek was in all kinds of bother, damaged thrice by the hard-hitting Yuan whose recreation was ranges above her one hundred and thirtieth rating.
However the Pole’s backhand proved decisive as she smacked a slew of winners within the clutch factors to maintain Yuan at bay.
“I used to be a bit rusty at the start, did not actually begin effectively,” Swiatek stated on courtroom.
“However I knew if I put within the arduous work, I’ll play higher so that is what I attempted to do.
“I am blissful that it labored, many ups and downs. There are issues to work on.”
It took some backhand magic for Swiatek to disclaim Yuan from taking the primary set as she served at 5-4.
The Pole received the tiebreak off the identical flank, planting her ft on the baseline to unleash a livid inside-out winner earlier than racing to a 3-0 lead within the second set.
With the match slipping away, Yuan referred to as a medical timeout, complaining of tightness in her thigh space, and lay down on the courtroom to let trainers go to work.
When she bought to her ft, she promptly broke Swiatek and rallied to 3-2, triggering calls of “Jiayou!” (Come on!) from Chinese language followers within the terraces.
Yuan scrapped arduous to the end, saving a match level on serve at 5-3 however there was no denying Swiatek who closed it out with a scorching backhand return down the road two factors later.
Swiatek will meet Czech Marie Bouzkova for a spot within the third spherical as she continues her quest for the profession Grand Slam, having received crowns on the different three majors.
