Djokovic erupted in triumph after a tougher-than-expected battle as the Serbian ace claimed victory in the Australian Open, advancing to the third round with a straight-set breaker in the decisive moments. The scoreline read 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 against Alexei Popyrin, marking Djokovic’s tenth Australian Open title bid while maintaining his momentum in Melbourne. The match showcased the veteran champion converting a challenging stretch into a strong finish, even as he dropped a set to the Australian hopeful who refused to back down.
Djokovic, the ten-time champion, faced a stern test from the local favorite Popyrin as the match moved to a tight third set. The 1.96-meter tall, 24-year-old climber in the world rankings put together a brave performance, earning his first break at 3-1 and seizing the second set 6-4 with a bold, aggressive approach. Popyrin relied on his serve to push Djokovic to the edge, turning the pace and pressure up as the match wore on.
Popyrin pressed with consistent service games and defended through a tense rhythm at 4-4, holding three break opportunities at 0-40 in the deciding moments of the third set to seize control. Djokovic steadied his nerves and fought back, forcing a tie-break and then capitalizing on the crucial moments to secure the triumph, a moment that drew a strong reaction from the crowd and the Serb himself as he asserted his stance on court.
The tie-break proved a turning point as Djokovic moved decisively, finishing the match in three hours and twelve minutes. It marked Djokovic’s 30th win of the season and continued a remarkable run that has seen him unbeaten since a 2018 upset in the Australian Open rounds. In the next round, the Serb would face Tomas Martin Etchevarry, who advanced with a straightforward win over Gael Monfils.
Djokovic remains the current champion and is chasing his eleventh Australian Open title, a tally that reflects multiple triumphs in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023. His Grand Slam record stands beside Rafael Nadal’s historic Roland Garros count, with Djokovic seeking to extend his legacy on the Australian hard courts.
Alcaraz arrives on schedule at dawn
On the same day, Alcaraz and his co-tenants at Mallorca had a bye in the second round of the event. Jaume Munar, ranked 82, faced a five-set contest against Adrien Mannarino, a clash that finished 6-3, 6-3, 1-6, 2-6, 6-3, before the Spaniard moved through to the next round.
Alcaraz was slated to play his second match of the tournament early on Thursday, Spanish time, as he prepared to meet Lorenzo Sonego after his compatriot Davidovich also featured in a late-night schedule. The timeline suggested matches would unfold around 3:30 a.m. Eurosport time, as players adjusted to the rhythm of the event and the court’s pace.