Novak Djokovic once again shows intermittent performance in the current edition of the Australian Open. After having a bad time in his debut with Dino Prizmic, the Serbian once again had difficulty overcoming the local Alexei Popyrin. Even so, he emerged victorious from the match 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4) and 6-2.
The twentieth champion did not quite feel comfortable on the court and suffered an ‘in extremis’ situation in the third set after saving four set points. Finally, the Serbian celebrated with great effusiveness a victory in the second round against an opponent located outside the top-40.
“He had an easy forehand and he missed it, he was a better tennis player for a set and a half. In the tie-break the trend changed. I don’t think he played at the best level,” commented the current champion during the interview at the foot of the court. made by the American Jim Courier.
“I haven’t been playing my best tennis. It’s complicated. In the first rounds you play against tennis players who have nothing to lose. My first two rivals were two high-quality tennis players. I hope I can improve my level,” added a Djokovic who arrived to Melbourne Park with doubts after his defeat in the United Cup against Alex De Minaur and his wrist discomfort.
Popyrin was able to enter the exchanges from the rest zone with astonishing ease as a result of the Balkan’s problems, with a first serve that registered a mere 61% success rate.
The young Australian, who has trained in Spain for much of his training period, dominated for much of the match after finishing a clash that lasted three hours and eleven minutes with 52 winners, eleven more than his rival.
After this victory, Djokovic’s next opponent will be the Argentine Tomás Martín Etcheverry, who beat the Frenchman Gael Monfils in three sets. The Serbian won both matches in which they met in the past (Rome and Paris Bercy).
