Nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic is off to a winning start in Melbourne. After skipping it last year, Novak returned to his beloved Major and played well in the first round at Rod Laver Arena. The Serb defeated Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 behind closed doors for a spot in the second round.
Novak has been dealing with a left leg injury since Adelaide, stretching a bit today but keeping it all under control in a straight set win. Carballes Baena fought well in the first two sets, losing serve once in each and disappearing from the court in the third to push to world no.
5 in the second round. Novak fired nine aces, barely dropped a point on the first serve and kept the second in check. The Serb fired 41 winners and 21 unforced errors, tamed his shots very well and challenged the opponent to repeat that.
Djokovic saved all three break points and converted 47% of return points on five breaks of nine chances.
Novak Djokovic is in the second round of the Australian Open.
Both players had break chances in games four and five of the first set, and missed them to go neck-and-neck.
Novak stepped in on the return in game six and broke Roberto to carve out a 4-2 lead. Djokovic served well in games seven and nine for 6-3 and a drive. The Serb served well in the second set and waited for return opportunities.
She stole the opponent’s serve in the seventh game and delivered two love serves after that to close the set 6-4 and extend her lead. Carballes Baena had no more left in the tank, he could not maintain the level and experienced a donut.
Novak made it a one-man affair, taking 24 of 28 points and crossing the finish line 18 years after playing his first match at the Australian Open.
