Men's singles second round
Novak Djokovic stepped on the accelerator to move into the third round at the Australian Open on Thursday night, but not without a scare.
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Djokovic needed a medical timeout for his lingering left leg injury and conceded a set before prevailing against dogged French qualifier Enzo Couacaud 6-1 6-7(5) 6-2 6-0 in the setting he enjoys most – a night match at Rod Laver Arena.
He likely wouldn't mind temperatures to increase a little in Melbourne, however. They dropped to the mid-teens, nothing unusual for a city where the weather can change as quick as an ace.
A nine-time champion who has now won 23 straight matches at Melbourne Park, the Serb has seen it all before.
"There was a lot happening in the match," Djokovic said on court afterward. "He played some great tennis, especially in the second set. We both had some medical timeouts and struggled a little bit. But I managed to respond well in the third and fourth."
The build-up
The main topic of conversation surrounding Djokovic entering AO 23 – aside from his return to the country, that is – was indeed the left hamstring injury he sustained in Adelaide.
Djokovic admitted he struggled with the issue in last week's build-up, and donned strapping in a first-round win over Roberto Carballes Baena that featured extended rallies the opening two sets.
The good news for Djokovic was that as the match developed, he said he felt better. The bandage remained against Couacaud – who had his own left knee slightly taped.
The world No.191 didn't have your usual tennis upbringing. He was born and grew up in the island idyll of Mauritius – dad Herbert is a former CEO of a hotel chain.
He later moved to Paris to further his tennis career and reached the junior doubles final at Wimbledon in 2013, bettered that day by Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis.
An elbow injury threatened to end his career about six years ago, but Couacaud persevered.
Story of the match
Couacaud was under pressure immediately and Djokovic earned the break he sought for 3-1, striking a forehand passing shot winner.
To add to his woes, Couacaud rolled his right ankle on the point. He quickly received a medical timeout to have the ankle taped.
Djokovic routinely stretched his leg and appeared in discomfort at times, meanwhile. Continuing to delve deep into his opponent's service games, Couacaud replied by striking an ace on break point at 3-3 in the second.
Djokovic left court for the medical timeout at 4-5, but held firm at 30-all and deuce for 5-5.
When he won a 24-shot exchange to lead 5-4 in the tiebreak, one felt the set was his. Couacaud, though, crushed a winner, benefited from a double fault and then another unforced error to square proceedings.
How would the 21-time Grand Slam winner respond?
He produced four forehand winners to break at love for 2-0 in the third and broke at the same stage of the fourth, subsequently jogging a fair distance to grab his towel.
Djokovic slammed a serve to save the lone break point he faced and held in 12 minutes for 3-0 to all but end the drama.
"One of those circumstances and situations where maybe things are not going perfectly your way, but that's sport and I've been in these situations so many times before in my life and career," he said.
"And I think that also helps, the experience of understanding what you need to do in the next moment and give your best."
Key stats
Djokovic improved to 28-0 against qualifiers or lucky losers at Grand Slams. While such players rarely engineer upsets at majors, Djokovic's fellow "Big Three" members of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal did lose once apiece to qualifiers at a Slam.
What this means for Djokovic
The third round marks a potential meeting of seeds for the first time and indeed, Grigor Dimitrov, No. 27, awaits Djokovic.
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Djokovic owns a 9-1 record against the former Australian Open semifinalist, and that one blemish came on clay. His leg could be tested further, as the Bulgarian often digs in and contests lengthy rallies.
It has been a while since the two 30-somethings faced off, their most recent meeting coming in 2019.
"I know him really well, we are good friends off the court, Balkan brothers," said Djokovic.
"So let the better player win."
What's next for Couacaud?
Though there is a way to go, Couacaud's showing in Melbourne might be enough to earn him a wildcard at his home Slam, Roland Garros, in May.
His chances likely would heighten if he surpasses his career-high ranking of 155, and the 27-year-old will hope to recover quickly from the ankle roll. He certainly appeared to move well from the end of the first set onwards.
Australian Open 2023 is a tournament he won't soon forget.