Things did not get any easier for Novak Djokovic on Wednesday.
The 10-time Australian Open champion, who needed four entertaining sets to beat 18-year-old qualifier Dino Prizmic in the first round, lost another set to Alexei Popyrin in round two. Just as he did three days earlier, however, Djokovic came up with enough answers when it mattered most to defeat Popyrin 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3. The world No. 1 advanced after three hours and 11 minutes.
Popyrin’s biggest opportunity came with Djokovic serving at 4-5 in the third set. The 43rd-ranked Aussie had a 0-40 chance to take a two sets to one lead, but he could not convert. From there, Djokovic was pretty much in control.
“He had quite an easy forehand and he missed it,” the 36-year-old Serb said of the 4-5 game. “I didn’t do anything special, and I was lucky on that point–[in] that game–to get away. He was the better player I think for a set and a half. In the second set and third set he was the better player.
“Things changed around, and the momentum shifted in the tiebreak. I managed to put the ball more in the court than he did. I don’t think I played at the highest level. In some instances yes, but also credit to him for tactically coming up with the right game plan and serving big. He deserves a big round of applause.”
Jannik Sinner–again–had a much easier time at the office. Sinner picked up a second consecutive straight-set victory at Melbourne Park, this one via a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 decision against Jasper De Jong that required only one hour and 43 minutes. The fourth-ranked Italian struck seven aces and did not face a single break point.
Next up for Sinner in the round of 32 is 26th-seeded Sebastian Baez, while Djokovic will go up against No. 30 seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
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