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From a set up and in control, Novak looked set for a comfortable evening on Sunday at the Australian Open.
However, the Serbian star survived a challenge to overcome the 18-year-old Croat Dino Prizmic 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 and reached the second round in Melbourne for the 17th time in 19 appearances.
In the pair’s first ATP H2H meeting, Djokovic started well. He broke twice to race to a one set lead.
The second set was more competitive. The players had exchanged breaks once before the 2023 Roland Garros Junior champion clinched the tie-break to level the contest.
The third set saw five breaks of serve. The Croatian hope broke on two occasions, while the 10-time titlist converted his break point chances three times.
Djokovic was in control at the beginning of the fourth set. He stormed to a 4-0 lead before Prizmic managed to take one break back. Novak sealed the victory four games later, after 4 hours and 1 minute of play.
Match statistics: aces (11-7), double faults (1-7), winners (40-31), unforced errors (49-42), total points won (139-113).
In the second round, Djokovic will play against the winner of the match between two Australians, Alexei Popyrin and Marc Polmans (WC).
Their match is scheduled on Monday.
Photo: AP
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