The Australian Open will resume tomorrow with updates on day two. It will be difficult to top the exciting match between Djokovic and Prizmic. Congratulations to the 18 year old players, farewell for now!
Aryna Sabalenka is facing Ella Seidel.
At the Australian Open, spectators are allowed to move around between games. However, during one game, Djokovic quickly falls behind 30-0 on his serve. His coach Ivanisevic nervously bites his nails while his fitness trainer, Marco Panichi, shrugs in a typically European manner. Prizmic, Djokovic’s opponent, earns two more break points and adjusts his chain under his t-shirt as he quietly encourages himself. Djokovic fights back with an overhead smash and an ace, ultimately winning the set but facing a challenging battle.
Djokovic* is currently leading 6-2, 6-7 (5), 3-3 against Prizmic (*indicates next server). In the beginning of this game, Djokovic has made 36 unforced errors, showing signs of being flustered. He has already made 14 errors in this set alone. Prizmic falls behind 40-15 on his serve, but manages to save one break point with an incredible down the line shot. He then follows it up with an impressive whippy forehand, bringing the score to deuce. However, Djokovic remains determined and Prizmic hits a wide shot, giving Djokovic the break.
Djokovic is currently leading 6-2, 6-7 (5), 2-3 against Prizmic. Prizmic will be serving next. Despite Djokovic’s efforts, the fact that he lost in the first round of a major tournament back in 2006 seems irrelevant now. Djokovic’s serve is being challenged with three deuces, followed by a fourth after hitting just wide. Prizmic then delivers a laser forehand, resulting in a fifth deuce. After another long hit from Djokovic, a sixth deuce occurs. Prizmic has a second break point opportunity with a pinpoint return, but unfortunately misses. The game continues with a seventh deuce until Djokovic ultimately hits long and then nets, giving Prizmic the break. The crowd cheers as Prizmic takes the lead, while a frustrated Djokovic throws his towel to the ground and sits down.
Returning to the Rod Laver arena, the commentator mentioned that Prizmic has won 21 out of 33 rallies in the past nine sets. Currently in the third set, both players have one break each, with Prizmic catching up after initially falling behind 2-0.
A brief summary from other sources:
Maria Sakkari, the eighth seed, defeated Japan’s Nao Hibino in a little over an hour with a score of 6-4, 6-1. Sakkari has previously faced early exits in the last three grand slams.
The fourth-ranked player, Jannick Sinner, who was among the competitors, defeated Botic van de Zandschulp in three sets with scores of 6-4, 7-5, and 6-3.
Unfortunately, Matteo Berrettini’s participation in the tournament has ended due to a foot injury, causing him to withdraw from his first-round match. In his place, seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas will now face off against Belgian player Zizou Bergs.
Fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev remained calm and composed despite facing a hostile crowd and a strong comeback from Thiago Seyboth Wild. He ultimately won the match in a thrilling fifth set tie-break: 7-5 6-4 3-6 4-6 7-6 (10-6).
Source: theguardian.com
