CNN
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Novak Djokovic dispelled any considerations that the lingering hamstring damage which has hampered him since final week would have an effect on his performances on the Australian Open, because the world No. 5 battled previous Spain’s Roberto Carballés Baena 6-3 6-4 6-0 within the opening spherical in Melbourne.
It was actually a stern opening take a look at for Djokovic, as world No. 75 Carballés Baena proved a gritty and decided opponent for the opening two units.
Nevertheless, Djokovic ultimately broke Carballés Baena’s resistance with a very gorgeous third set of tennis to get his quest for a record-extending tenth Australian Open title off to the absolute best begin.
Djokovic acquired a heat welcome from the group in Melbourne, as he had completed final week throughout his victorious run on the Adelaide warmup occasion, in what was his first Australian Open look for the reason that deportation debacle one 12 months in the past.
“Unbelievable ambiance, thanks for staying this late all people,” Djokovic mentioned to very large applause and cheers in his post-match interview. “Additionally thanks for giving such a welcome and reception I may solely dream of.
“I’m very completely satisfied I’m again in Australia and again right here on the court docket the place I’ve had the most important success of my profession. This court docket is probably the most particular in my life.
“The extra you win on a sure court docket, the extra comfy and assured you are feeling. That’s in all probability one of many causes I’ve been lucky sufficient to win a number of matches on this court docket within the night time session.
“If I’ve to decide on one court docket and one situation, it will be night time periods on the Rod Laver Enviornment all day lengthy.”
The win was Djokovic’s thirty fifth straight victory in Australia and the indicators had been ominous for Carballés Baena within the opening exchanges.
With the scores tied at 2-2 and the match simply 19 minutes outdated, the distinction in exertion between the 2 gamers was already obvious.
At one finish, Carballés Baena was respiration closely, his soaked shirt already sticking to him. On the different, it appeared as if Djokovic had barely damaged a sweat.
The Serb was quickly made to work arduous, nonetheless, as Carballés Baena manufactured a 0-40 lead within the fifth recreation to earn himself three break factors.
Djokovic’s left thigh was closely strapped as he continues to handle the hamstring damage that pressured him to tug out of a observe match final week and followers maybe would have briefly began to surprise if it was hindering him.
However the 21-time grand slam champion swiftly allayed these fears and ripped off 5 straight factors to carry serve after which promptly proceeded to interrupt Carballés Baena to like.
It wasn’t simply the Spaniard’s serve that Djokovic had damaged however his spirit, too, because the world No. 5 received 13 of the subsequent 15 factors to take a commanding 5-2 lead.
Maintaining that early degree of depth simply to maintain tempo with Djokovic was all the time going to be troublesome for Carballés Baena and the nine-time Australian Open champion quickly closed out the primary set 6-3.
Nevertheless, enormous credit score should go to Carballés Baena for not letting the frustration of the primary set have an effect on his morale, because the 29-year-old continued to play aggressive tennis and a few gorgeous protection to actually make Djokovic earn his first service recreation of the second set.
With the scores tied at 3-3, an epic 28-shot rally – which Djokovic received after chasing down a Carballés Baena drop shot – set the tone for what can be the deciding recreation of the second set.
It was a grueling five-minute lengthy slog with Djokovic ultimately popping out on high to interrupt serve for the primary time within the set, earlier than occurring to carry to like within the very subsequent recreation.
One other maintain of serve from Carballés Baena ensured Djokovic must serve for the second set, however he as soon as once more held to like to take a commanding two-set lead.
The match was now seemingly over as a contest as Djokovic received the opening two video games of the third set to like after which broke Carballés Baena to take a 3-0 lead.
It was a very absurd spell of tennis, throughout which Djokovic received 16 of 17 factors because the Serb turned up the warmth and entered the zone that has made him utterly unplayable at moments throughout his profession.
For any of Djokovic’s potential Australian Open opponents that had been watching, maybe probably the most scary a part of this remaining set was that the 35-year-old was seemingly nonetheless taking part in effectively inside his limits.
Djokovic closed out the ultimate set with out dropping a recreation to ship an actual assertion of intent to the remainder of the draw.
It was a harsh finish to the match for Carballés Baena, who had carried out admirably within the opening two units to make this opener an actual contest.
If there was anybody doubting Djokovic’s standing as the favourite for the Australian Open previous to this match, there received’t be now.
