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Australian Open Day 1: 18-year-old freak’s record Novak scare

Ten-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic’s teenage opening round opponent has stunned the World No. 1.

Tyson Otto, James McKern and Andrew McMurtry
12 min read
January 15, 2024 - 5:02AM
Novak Djokovic was impressed by what he saw. Photo: Getty Images and AFP
Novak Djokovic was impressed by what he saw. Photo: Getty Images and AFP
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The opening day of the 15-day 2024 Australian Open is in the books after a bumper first day of action packed with marathon matches.

But if the Australian Open were hoping to cut down on the late night finishes, the extra day hasn’t worked as day one finished after 12.30am, despite a host of new rules.

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While it was a massive day of tennis, only three seeded players — women’s 20th seed and 2023 AO semi-finalist Magda Linette, who crashed out after sustaining a leg injury and 13th seed Liudmila Samsonova and 30th seed Xinyu Wang — were casualties on day one.

But while it wasn’t a day that saw too many seeded players eliminated, big name stars were certainly tested.

Men’s World No. 1 Novak Djokovic was pushed by 18-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic, dropping a set and taking more than four hours to dispatch of the teenager.

The four-hour and one minute marathon was the longest first round match of Djokovic’s career, a feather in the cap of the young Croatian.

World No. 5 Andrey Rublev only just survived a nearly four hour, five-set thriller as well, before finally defeating Thiago Seyboth Wild in a super tie-break.

On the other side of the equation was defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka, who dispatched 18-year-old German Ella Seidel 6-0 6-1.

It was a tough day for Aussies with only Chris O’Connell surviving through to round two after a 4h21m five-set victory over Cristian Garin.

Aussie wildcard Alex Walton was defeated in straight sets, Dane Sweeny was outlasted in five by 22nd seed Francisco Cerundolo, while it took five hours for Daniel Elahi Galan to down Jason Kubler in the day’s longest epic.

Action from day two starts at 11am.

Australian Open Day 1 results

Rod Laver Arena from 12pm (AEDT)

Jannik Sinner (ITA) [4] defeats Botic Van de Zandschulp (NED) 6-4, 7-5, 6-3

Maria Sakkari (GRE) [8] defeats Nao Hibino (JPN) 6-4, 6-1

From 7pm

Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] defeats Dino Prizmic (CRO) 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4

Aryna Sabalenka [2] defeats Ella Seidel (GER) 6-0, 6-1

Margaret Court Arena from 12pm

Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) [9] defeats Mai Hontama (JPN) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3

Andrey Rublev [5] defeats Thiago Seyboth Wild (BRA) 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6

From 7pm

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) defeats Magda Linette (POL) [20] 6-2, 2-0 walkover

Frances Tiafoe (USA) [17] defeats Borna Coric (CRO) 6-3, 7-6, 2-6, 6-3

John Cain Arena from 11am

Leylah Fernandez (CAN) [32] defeats Sara Bejlek (CZE) 7-6 6-2

Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) [22] defeats Dane Sweeny (AUS) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2

From 4pm

Taylor Fritz (USA) [12] defeats Facundo Diaz Acosta (ARG) 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4

Other Australians in action

Matteo Arnaldi (ITA) defeats Adam Walton (AUS) 7-6, 6-2, 6-4

Chris O’Connell (AUS) defeats Cristian Garin (CHI) 3-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5

After 6pm — Daniel Elahi Galan (COL) defeats Jason Kubler (AUS) 2-6, 6-3, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6

12.38pm – Sabalenka’s ‘ruthless’ thrashing

After getting on court after 11.30pm, Aryna Sabalenka was at her ruthless best against 18-year-old qualifier Ella Seidel.

The youngster was clearly overawed by the World No. 2’s power as the Belarusian powered to victory in less than an hour.

Sabalenka served six aces, won 56 points to 26 and absolutely dominated.

Seidel was near tears at the ruthless thrashing but she finally won a point at 6-0 5-0 to at least put a smile on her face.

But it was about all she could do as Sabalenka served out the match — despite not being able to convert three match points before finally sealing the win.

11.30pm – ‘Insane’: 18yo freak stuns Novak

What a performance from Prizmic. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
What a performance from Prizmic. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Novak Djokovic has had to do it the hard way to get through to the second round of the Australian Open after World No. 178 qualifier Dino Prizmic went head-to-head with the 10-time champion for more than four hours.

It’s the first time in Djokovic’s grand slam career that a first-round match has gone more than four hours, eclipsing the previous longest, which was 3hr 57min against Gael Monfils in 2005.

The 18-year-old Croatian just had zero quit and rocked Djokovic in a brutal clash.

After winning the first set 6-2, Djokovic was put on the back foot when at 15-40, he was called for a time violation before Prizmic hit the second serve for a forehand winner to nab a break at 3-1.

“That was an insane game,” John McEnroe said on Nine.

“Culminating with the best forehand he’s ever hit in his life, probably.”

While Djokovic broke straight back, it showed the young Croatian was ready to play, taking it all the way to the Serbian superstar to pinch a set when after four set points, Djokovic pushed a ball wide.

In the third set, Djokovic broke in the second game of the set to go up 2-0 but Prizmic broke straight back twice to go up 3-2 after winning a 15 minute game.

Djokovic then bounced back and claimed the third set 6-3.

After Djokovic ran out to a 4-0 lead in the fourth, it looked like he had finally broken the youngster.

But he just did not give up, battling back and finally going down 6-4.

Novak finally got the win. Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP
Novak finally got the win. Photo by WILLIAM WEST / AFP

Djokovic had nothing but praise for Prizmic after the match, tipping the teenager for great things.

“He deserved every applause, every credit that he got tonight. He’s amazing player, I must say, so mature for his age,” Djokovic said on court.

“He handled himself on the court incredibly well. This is his moment, honestly.

“It could have easily been his match as well. He was a break up in the third.

“He fought even though he was 4-0 down and a break point down from 5-0, he fought, he showed great mentality, resilience.

“He made me really run for my money for sure, tonight. That’s for sure. And honestly I have many, many praises for him.

“I love the way he’s using every inch of the court. He’s comfortable to come in, he’s defending incredibly well.

“Just amazing performance for someone that is 18 years old, had never had an experience of playing on a big stage. Big kudos to him and his team, to his family. I certainly want to be in his corner, so hopefully he will invite me because he is going to make some big things in his career. That’s for sure. We are going to see a lot of him in the future.”

Djokovic joked that at 36, he was double Prizmic’s age and that the youngster had an “incredible game plan”.

11.25pm – Kubler falls in five-hour epic

So close from Kubes. Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP
So close from Kubes. Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP

It’s been a mixed day for Australia after Aussie wildcard Jason Kubler fell in a 4hr59m epic against Colombian World No. 89 Daniel Elahi Galan in an absolute marathon on the opening night of the Australian Open.

The World No. 112 Kubler and Galan could not be split before a fifth set super tie break.

It finally looked like Galan had raced away for a win when he opened up a 7-2 lead, but the Aussie hit back to lock it all up at 7-all.

Unfortunately, that was about all he had left, as Galan won the next two points, and even though Kubler pulled one back, an unforced error saw the Colombian come out victorious.

It means just one of the four Aussies in action today has made it through to the next round with Chris O’Connell the only Aussie winner.

Dane Sweeny also went down in five-sets while Alex Walton was vanquished in straight sets.

But O’Connell took more than four hours to down Cristian Garin to book Australia’s only second round match up from day one.

8.06pm – Aussie wins insane five-set marathon

O’Connell has done it. Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images
O’Connell has done it. Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images

Aussie World No. 71 Christopher O’Connell has survived a more than four hour marathon to down World No. 88 Cristian Garin in a five-set thriller at the Australian Open.

O’Connell lost the first and fought back from being down two sets to one, coming back to win 3-6 7-5 4-6 6-1 7-5 in a tense thriller.

O’Connell finally got his nose ahead in the fifth set but was broken to make it 5-all before immediately breaking back.

The 29-year-old was then able to serve out the match.

The result took over four hours but O’Connell will also get two days off before his next clash against the winner of 16th seed Ben Shelton and Roberto Bautista Agut.

But not all fans were happy.

Those watching on free-to-air TV were left fuming after Channel 9’s main channel went to the news and then onto the Novak Djokovic match against Croatia’s Dino Prizmic, who is ranked No. 178 in the world.

It makes O’Connell the first Aussie into the second round after grand slam debutants Adam Walton and Dane Sweeny crashed out.

Walton was playing for a match up against countryman Alex de Minaur but was crushed in straight sets by Italian Matteo Arnaldi.

Sweeny put up an almighty fight against 22nd seed Francisco Cerundolo, going down in five sets.

6.50pm – Fifth seed survives major opening round fright

Andrey Rublev would have been hoping for a breezy opening encounter at Melbourne Park, what unfolded was anything but that for the Russian star.

The world number five looked on track for a straight sets victory to kick off his grand slam campaign, but Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild had other ideas.

The 23-year-old, ranked 78th in the world, bounced back in stunning fashion to take the third and fourth sets and push the contest into a deciding fifth set.

What unfolded in the fifth was the equivalent of a heavyweight title fight as both men threw everything they had at one another.

Rublev held three match points while up 6-5, but Wild again refused to die and fought back in stunning fashion to send it into a fifth-set tie-break.

The Brazilian had the crowd in the palm of his hand as he raced away to the early 4-1 advantage, but Rublev showed why he’s one of the best on the planet.

He reeled off nine of the next 11 points to secure the thrilling victory 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (10-6).

Seyboth Wild left it all out there. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Seyboth Wild left it all out there. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Rublev wasn’t happy throughout the match but got the chocolates in the end. (Photo by David GRAY / AFP)
Rublev wasn’t happy throughout the match but got the chocolates in the end. (Photo by David GRAY / AFP)

5.30pm – Russian star’s ugly act terrifies ballgirl

Pavel Vyacheslavovich Kotov has advanced into the second round of the Australian Open, but the Russian player should be counting his lucky stars.

In the middle of his encounter against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, Kotov exploded in an ugly outburst.

As his frustrations boiled over he grabbed the ball and slammed it violently into the back wall as a ballgirl standing dangerously close by shied away from the incident.

Thankfully for Kotov the ball didn’t strike the ballgirl, as it would have resulted in an automatic disqualification from the tournament.

He was able to contain his anger as he went on to claim the 7-5, 6-1, 6-7, 6-7, 6-3 victory and move into the second round.

4.40pm – Aussies wiped out in opening day carnage

Day one of the Australian Open hasn’t been kind on the locals.

Adam Walton became the first Aussie to fall at the opening Grand Slam on the calendar before Dane Sweeny joined him following a five-set battle.

Sweeny had 22nd seed Francisco Cerundolo on the backfoot after claiming the opening set, but it was the Argentinian who bounced back to take the second and third sets.

The Aussie, ranked 257th in the world, wasn’t finished and forced the match into a deciding fifth set following a monster comeback.

Sadly it was one-way traffic down the stretch as Cerundolo proved far too strong as he claimed the 3-6 6-3 6-4 2-6 6-2 victory.

Fellow Aussie Chris O’Connell is locked in his opening round encounter against Cristian Garin.

Despite entering as the heavy favourite, it was Garin who got the early jump and claimed the opening set 6-3.

4pm – Sweeny pushes it to a fifth

Look out Australia, we may have a new cult hero on our hands.

Dane Sweeny has fought back in the fourth set with a dominant 6-2 showing to force his first round encounter into a fifth set.

3.25pm – Aussie fighter on the brink of falling

Dane Sweeny stunned 22nd seed Francisco Cerundolo by taking the opening set in their first round match.

But it’s been Cerundolo who has flipped the script as the Argentinian has responded in style by claiming the second and third set.

He’s now one set away from advancing into the second round.

2pm – First Aussie falls

Adam Walton has become the first Aussie casualty knocked out of the Australian Open.

Walton was eliminated by Italian Matteo Arnaldi 7-6 6-2 6-4 on Show Court Arena.

The wildcard had a chance to serve for the first set at 6-5, but let the golden opportunity slip.

The 24-year-old was competing in his first ever grand slam main draw and was one of the 15 Aussies in the men’s singles draw.

Arnaldi will play the winner of the match between Alex de Minaur and Milos Raonic in the second round.

12.30pm – De Minaur secret training side spotted

Alex de Minaur has been seen in an unusual training session at the Australian Open.

According to leading tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg, the Australian was swearing like a sailor during his training session with Stan Wawrinka on Margaret Court Arena.

“Stan Wawrinka, I actually saw him hitting today and he was on court on Margaret Court Arena with de Minaur,” Rothenberg said on the No Challenges Remaining podcast,

“It was funny. They’re very contrasting styles and they were very giggly and de Minaur was cursing a lot, which was funny. I don’t really hear him curse much but it was quite profane to hear from the top rope.

“It wasn’t like gross, but it was just a bunch of PG13-rated cursing.”

Alex de Minaur reacts during a training session ahead of the 2024 Australian Open. Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images.
Alex de Minaur reacts during a training session ahead of the 2024 Australian Open. Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images.

Meanwhile, de Minaur’s trademark fighting spirit was further celebrated by tennis icon Andre Agassi on Sunday morning.

“When I watch him play, I just want to feel that way for five minutes a day,” Agassi said on Channel 9.

“The energy and passion — he embodies the Australian spirit as well as anybody ever has.”

9am — Djokovic takes savage swipe on opening day

Novak Djokovic has taken a rare public swipe at a rival star in a shock move during his Australian Open media day commitments on Saturday.

The world No. 1 didn’t have much to say when he faced the press in Melbourne – but he came out blasting in an interview with French newspaper L’Equipe.

As reported by French journalist Quentin Moynet on Sunday morning, Djokovic has fired shots at American rising star Ben Shelton after the pair had a run-in at the US Open last year.

The Serbian superstar mocked Shelton by imitating his trademark “phone call” gesture.

Shelton’s signature celebration, which he has said he’s used to indicate he’s “dialled in”, irked the usually composed Djokovic, who mimed a phone being put down after his straight sets win.

Novak Djokovic said it all with his gesture. Photo by AL BELLO, Getty Images via AFP.
Novak Djokovic said it all with his gesture. Photo by AL BELLO, Getty Images via AFP.
Novak Djokovic slammed the phone down. Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images.
Novak Djokovic slammed the phone down. Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images.

The pair had an awkward handshake at the end of the mach.

Now Djokovic has admitted Shelton’s act still gets to him.

“It was a reaction against him, he did not behave properly, with respect, on court, and before the match,” he said.

“If anyone one places himself in the unsportsmanlike zone, I react.”

World number one Djokovic is gunning for his 11th Australian Open title and 25th major, which would take him clear of Margaret Court on the all-time list.

The 36-year-old, who beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in last year’s title match in Melbourne, is the hot favourite again.

“I’m just hoping I can start the season in a way that I have been starting my seasons, most of my seasons, throughout my career, with a win here in Australia, in Melbourne,” he said.

“It’s my favourite place, no doubt — the court where I’ve done great things and achieved my greatest Grand Slam results.”

Star blasts back into Top 10 for first time in six years

Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko and young Czech Jiri Lehecka completed the perfect build-up to the Australian Open on Saturday by claiming the Adelaide International titles.

Big-hitting Lehecka bounced back from losing the first set to beat Briton Jack Draper and claim a maiden ATP Tour crown 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Sixth seed Ostapenko surged back into the world’s top 10 for the first time since 2018 by beating Russian Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 6-2 for a seventh WTA Tour title.

She won the first set and broke to start the second but had trouble closing out victory, taking four match points to get the job done in 76 minutes.

“This is great, I had some really tough matches this week,” said former French Open champion Ostapenko after collecting her first title since Dubai in 2022.

“I enjoyed every moment of playing here. I can’t wait to come back, it’s so nice to be in Australia.” Britain’s Draper started well but his level began to suffer as Lehecka took charge in a championship match lasting 2hr 8mins.

“It’s so emotional to win my first title here,” Lehecka said after a battle of the 22-year-olds. “I’m super excited.

Ladies singles finals winner and runner-up Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia and Daria Kasatkina. Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images.
Ladies singles finals winner and runner-up Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia and Daria Kasatkina. Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images.

“It feels amazing, it’s a dream come true for me. I always wanted to win a trophy, so it’s even better that I won it here in Adelaide.

“I’m happy for the win. This is a great way to start the year.” Lehecka will rise three spots to a career-high 23 in the world on Monday, with the victory making him the first Czech to claim an ATP title since Jiri Vesely in Pune in 2020.

“This is what I train for,” Draper said.

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“Jiri played incredible tennis and won his first title, the same thing I was trying for.

“He deserved it, he was the better player today. This is my second year here and I went one farther than my semi-final last year.”

— with AFP

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