The Novak Djokovic-Andy Murray partnership is up and running with a win but not without a few teething problems.
Djokovic, with new coach Murray watching courtside, dropped the first set to American wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy before hitting back to secure a 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-2 win and a spot in the second round of the Australian Open.
The 10-time winner at Melbourne Park was a long way from his best, with great credit due to 19-year-old Basavareddy, who served notice of his burgeoning talent with an impressive performance.
Tennis IQ off the charts 💯 Djokovic x Murray#KiaAustralia • #AustralianOpen • #KiaEVrange pic.twitter.com/Jp1uzkNcpx
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2025
It was not enough though with Djokovic later revealing Murray’s expertise had helped him find a way to win.
“I’m thrilled to have him in my corner,” Djokovic said. “I must say that it’s a bit strange to have him courtside in my box. We played for over 20 years against each other at the highest level, so it’s nice to have him on my side of the net.
“He gave me some great advice during the match. It’s really nice to be able to exchange some feedback. It’s been a really nice experience, hopefully we don’t stop here.”
📰 Table Of Contents
Praise for Basavareddy
Djokovic was impressed by Basavareddy on his grand slam debut.
He added: ”In the end, it was a great result. I think he was the better player for a set and a half, and he deserves every bit of the applause that he got when he was leaving the court. It was a great performance from him. To be really honest with you, I had never seen him play up to maybe three days ago so I didn’t know much about him.
“These kind of matches are always tricky and dangerous, especially when you’re playing against somebody who hasn’t got anything to lose with it being his first match ever at grand slam level. He is a very complete player and he did very pleasantly surprise me with his shots and his fighting spirit towards the end.”
Wins for Sinner and Alcaraz
Defending champion Jannik Sinner and Spanish third seed Carlos Alcaraz also progressed on day two.
Sinner eased past world number 36 Nicolas Jarry 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 with the Italian showing no signs of mental fatigue following the incessant talk around his failed drugs test in the lead up.
Sinner twice tested positive for the banned steroid clostebol in March 2024 but was cleared of any wrongdoing by the International Tennis Integrity Agency. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), however, with the hearing set for April.
Australian Nick Kyrgios has been particularly vocal in his criticism of the authorities and there had been fears the local crowd would give the top seed a rough ride against a player who himself served an 11-month ban for testing positive for anabolic agents in 2020.
As it was, Sinner was given a warm reception on Rod Laver Arena.
“You never know what’s happening. I was happy about the crowd. It was a very nice crowd. There were some [support] for my opponent and some for me,” he said.
“It was a nice atmosphere.”
Alcaraz, who is looking to become the youngest man in history to complete the career Grand Slam, eased past Alexander Shevchenko 6-1 7-5 6-1.
Outspoken Kyrgios bows out
Kyrgios was also on court on Monday but his Australian Open adventure is already over after he lost 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 7-6 (7-2) to British number three Jacob Fearnley.
Kyrgios received the backing he wanted from the home crowd but struggled with an abdominal issue on his way to making a meek exit.
The Scot said: “I was extremely nervous before the match, I didn’t get too much sleep. I knew it was going to be a rowdy match but I thought I played good.
“Sorry to Nick, I could tell that he was dealing with some stuff, but I thought it was a great match.”
In control from go to woah, Jacob Fearnley gets the better of Nick Kyrgios 7-6(3) 6-3 7-6(2)
Onto the next one, Jacob!@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/N6OY3jSM1J
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2025
No alarms for Gauff and Swiatek
On the women’s side there were wins for Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff.
Swiatek eased past Katerina Siniakova 6-3 6-4 while Gauff was a 6-3 6-3 winner over 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.
Two-time winner Victoria Azarenka is out, though, after losing 6-2 7-6 (7-2) to Italian Lucia Bronzetti.
Shock of the Day
As predicted on 101 Great Goals, the shock came via Alex Michelsen.
The 20-year-old American beat 2023 runner-up and 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas 7-5 6-3 2-6 6-4 despite a third set wobble.
“I didn’t take the most direct path, that’s for sure,” he said. “I shouldn’t have got broken twice in the fourth. My serve let me down. But I was also returning really, really well. I felt like I was winning most of the baseline rallies when I was inside the baseline and controlling the point.”
