Djokovic turns it around against outsider to advance at AO

Novak Djokovic schooled a teenaged challenger 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 as he won his first match in the new coaching collaboration with Andy Murray at the Australian Open on Monday.

The 10-time tournament champion still needed three hours and four match points to get by 19-year-old American Nishesh Basavareddy, sending down his 23rd ace on match point.

Djokovic was surprisingly caught out by the youngster, who won the opening set. But the neophyte was treated for cramping at the end of the second set, recovering to make a match out of the first-round meeting.

“He was the better plays for the first set and a half,” 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic said. “I had never seen him play until three or four days ago. Those kind of matchups can be very dangerous.”

Murray, who retired last season and faced off against Djokovic for much of his career, was in the Serb’s player box as part of the coaching test.

Though accomplished skier Djokovic made light earlier of the Scots first attempt on skis a few weeks ago, he said that fun and games are over.

“It’s all business now for us. I’m thrilled to have Andy in my corner.

“But it was strange to see him in my boc after seeing him across the net for so long.

“It’s an enjoyable experience which hopefully doesn’t end here.”

In a packed-out night session at Melbourne Park, third seed Carlos Alcaraz rolled over Alexander Shevchenko 6-1, 7-5, 6-1.

“I think I played a great level,” the Spaniard said. “The first match of the season you never know how is going to be. 

“I had the confidence to think that I was going to be good, but you never know.I’m just really, really happy with everything I’ve done today. But I really want to be better in the next round.”

Main photo:- Nishesh Basavareddy took the first set off Novak Djokovic – by ATPTour.com