Djokovic pushed by Popyrin, heckler in Australian Open win،
For the second consecutive match at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic lost the second set to his unseeded opponent. This time, against Australian Alexei Popyrin, Djokovic was also pushed to the brink of third.
But the 24-time Grand Slam champion regrouped, fending off four set points before finally winning the third set and closing out a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory in just a short time. more than three hours. .
After the match, Djokovic admitted that Popyrin was “the better player for a set and a half” and said he was still trying to find his form as he seeks a record 11th title in Melbourne.
Popyrin, 24, hit more aces and winners than Djokovic but was undone by committing 26 more unforced errors than the world number 1.
Djokovic also challenged a heckler to “say that to my face” during the fourth set. At 2-2, Djokovic took a break, walked to the back of the court and shouted at the spectator before winning the next three games.
After claiming victory on an error from Popyrin, Djokovic – who won his 30th consecutive match at the Australian Open – turned to the crowd again and shouted, raising his fist in celebration.
Djokovic is suffering from wrist soreness and said after his opening match – a four-hour, four-set win over 18-year-old qualifier Dino Prizmic – that he was not feeling well.
He credited Popyrin with coming up with a game plan to destabilize him.
“I didn't play my best, but I'm still trying to get back into shape,” the 36-year-old said. “Especially in the early rounds, you face players who have nothing to lose. They come to center court to play their best tennis.
“Hopefully I can build on that as the tournament progresses.”
Djokovic entered with a 13-1 record against Australian players in Grand Slams, but Popyrin energized his serve and forehand to start chipping away at the Serbian star's armor. The crowd erupted when Djokovic faced a break point at 1-2 in the second set and Popyrin converted it with a deft volley.
Popyrin hesitated, however, serving for the set at 5-3 with a few errors giving Djokovic the break. But in the next match, it was Djokovic's turn to falter, and his increasingly irregular forehand gave him a few set points.
One was saved with an ace before Popyrin produced a stunning lob to tie the match.
Popyrin needed calf treatment midway through the third set, but Djokovic also looked flat. Serving at 4-5, tension rose when Djokovic missed a forehand and an easy volley, then sent a forehand into the net, gifting three set points. Djokovic held on to save all three, then another when Popyrin got a fourth chance.
World number 43 Popyrin was left to regret those missed opportunities as Djokovic dominated the tie-break and cruised to victory despite some noisy fans doing their best to get him out of rhythm.
Djokovic's form will offer some hope to his third round opponent, Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Information from the Associated Press and Reuters was used in this report.
