Australian Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic survives scare against Dino Prizmic – latest scores and updates

Brutal. That was a crushing from Aryna Sabalenka because the defending champion will get her title defence underway with a 6-0 6-1 win over Ella Seidel, who was utterly overwhelmed by the event.

This has been powerful for Ella Seidel and Sabalenka has powered to a 6-0 3-0 lead in 35 minutes. A exceptional distinction of matches, given the extent that Djokovic was pushed earlier.

So the lads’s champion was given a scare by an 18-year-previous qualifier, how in regards to the girls’s champion?

Aryna Sabalenka’s defence is underway against the 18-year-previous German qualifier Ella Seidel. who up to now has been unable to make the identical first impression as Primzic.

Sabalenka leads 4-0 within the opening set and is wanting very sturdy certainly.

Novak Djokovic was given a scare by Croatian teenager Dino Prizmic within the longest first-spherical match of his grand slam profession.

The world primary is an enormous favorite to win an 11th title at Melbourne Park, the place he has not misplaced since 2018, however he dropped the second set as 18-year-previous Prizmic confirmed what makes him a serious expertise for the long run.

The qualifier was briefly a break up within the third set and saved battling after Djokovic stepped issues up earlier than the defending champion lastly clinched a 6-2 6-7 (5) 6-3 6-4 victory on his seventh match level after 4 hours and one minute.

Report from Eleanor Crooks in Melbourne

Prizmic supplied a glimpse of his expertise when he gained the junior Roland Garros title on the French Open final season, whereas he made his breakthrough on the ATP Challenger circuit – the extent under the skilled tour – when he gained the title in Banja Luka.

But Prizmic nonetheless entered the season ranked 178 on this planet and very a lot an unknown within the wider tennis world. The Croatian is from Split and got here from the identical tennis membership the place former Wimbledon champion – and Djokovic’s present coach –  Goran Ivanisevic additionally realized the best way to play the sport.

Here’s extra from Djokovic: “I began off very nicely, for a 36-year-previous. But when you concentrate on it, jeez, I’m double his age. Reality hits arduous tonight.

“I’m actually attempting to take pleasure in each second on the court docket. I struggled in many alternative moments tonight. But it’s credit score to him and his sport plan.

“He had a solution to every little thing, he was very bodily. I had good moments. In some moments I want I may have performed higher, extra aggressively.

“It has been a really quick off-season and I’m nonetheless discovering myself bodily out on the court docket however I’ve a few days off earlier than my subsequent match so hopefully I can be at my finest for that.”

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Djokovic 6-2 6-7 6-3 6-4 Prizmic

Let’s hear from Djokovic: “He deserved each applause that he obtained tonight – wonderful participant, so mature for his age, he dealt with himself extremely nicely. This is his second, truthfully. It may have been his match as nicely, he was a break up within the third set. He fought from 4-0 down [in the fourth set] and break factors down, He confirmed nice mentality and resilience.

“He made me run for my cash tonight, that’s for certain. I’ve a whole lot of compliments for him. I really like the way in which he makes use of each inch of the court docket, he’s comfy to come back in, he defends unbelievable nicely. Just an incredible efficiency for somebody who’s 18 years previous and has by no means had expertise on this stage.

“I need to be in his nook. He’s going to make some large issues in his profession, that’s for certain. We are going to see a whole lot of him sooner or later.”

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Djokovic 6-2 6-7 6-3 6-4 Prizmic

Djokovic truly beckons Prizmic to return to the court docket and soak within the applause of the Rod Laver Arena crowd. What a present he’s placed on tonight.

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Djokovic 6-2 6-7 6-3 6-4 Prizmic

Novak Djokovic will get his Australian Open title defence underway with a 29th victory in a row at Melbourne Park – however hats off to Dino Prizmic, who made this primary-spherical conflict an exciting encounter at occasions on the opening day of the match!

Djokovic comes via in 4 hours however is aware of he was pushed to provide you with what was near his finest degree against the 18-year-previous qualifier, who was taking part in a grand slam match for the primary time in his profession.

Djokovic trailed Prizmic by a break within the third set however then gained eight video games in a row to take management of a bodily bruising battle, lastly sapping the vitality from his youthful opponent.

Prizmic held on within the fourth set, saving 4 match factors, however Djokovic will get the job carried out behind serve and shall be very grateful to have two days of relaxation after this!

FOUR HOURS! Well performed Dino Prizmic. The Croatian lands one final forehand winner going through match level however Djokovic, however the World No 1 will get the job carried out with one final effort.

There is a lot respect from Djokovic in direction of his opponent on the web – and he earned it.

Djokovic 6-2 6-7 6-3 5-4 Prizmic

Djokovic will get to 0-40 on the Prizmic serve however the Croatian saves all of them! He’s began to stretch out his leg, although, because the cramps lastly arrive. Can he maintain on for yet another sport?

Another match level saved by Prizmic! This time behind a booming serve out huge to the Djokovic backhand.

And Prizmic holds on behind the second serve! After saving 4 match factors, the 18-year-previous will get away with the maintain.

Unbelievably, that is going to be the LONGEST first-spherical match Novak Djokovic has ever performed at a grand slam – and the 24-time champion has performed a whole lot of them. We’re coming as much as 4 hours now.