TENNIS AO15 – Novak Djokovic opened his Australian Open campaign with a convincing 6-3 6-2 6-4 win over Slovenian qualifier and this year’s Chennai runner-up Aljaz Bedene in 109 minutes dispelling any doubts on his fitness after a virus hampered his build-up to the first Grand Slam of the year. Diego Sampaolo
AO 2015: Interviews, Results, Order of Play, Draws
World Number 1 Novak Djokovic started the ATP season with a quarter-final loss against “King of Aces” Ivo Karlovic in Doha and recent illness hampered his preparation to the Australian Open but the Serbian star played a solid match against Slovenian Aljaz Bedene, who recently lost the Chennai final against Stan Wawrinka.
Djokovic recovered from a slow start against Bedene who kept his pace with Djokovic until the eighth game of the opening set. The Slovenian player, who reached his career-high of 71st in the ATP Ranking in 2013, hit three consecutive aces in one game before earning break point chances in the fifth game which were saved by Djokovic. Bedene, who lives in Great Britain and has applied to become a British citizen, handed a first break point chance by hitting a forehand long. The Serb converted on it as Bedene hit a smash into the net. The World Number 1 wrapped up the first set with 6-3 in 30 minutes.
Djokovic cruised through to winning the second set with 6-2 in 27 minutes. Bedene called a medical time-out at 1-2 in the third set because of a hip problem. Djokovic took advantage and got two break points with a down-the line backhand. He converted on the second break point chance in the fifth game. He had to save a break point chance before cruising to a comfortable 6.4 with a love service game in the third set.
Djokovic converted on four of his eight break point chances and hit 30 winners. Djokovic, who won the first of his seven Grand Slam at Melbourne Park in 2008 and three consecutive Australian Open titles in 2011, 2012 and 2013, is looking to become the second player in history to clinch five titles in Melbourne.
The World Number One reflected on his slow start and how the match could have changed in the first set.
“I am just glad to be back competing at the highest level. The Australian Open are dear to me. It was my most successful Grand Slam. I have been playing my best tennis throughout my career on these courts. I am trying to soak up every joyful moment on these courts. The start was a bit slow from my side. He had a couple of breakpoints. The match could have gone a different way in the first set. I never played against him. I watched him only once”, said Djokovic
“The effects of the virus are fading away. I had two rough weeks health-wise but I fought my way through. Now it’s behind me. I think I did well in terms in terms of responding to the slow start today, feeling a little bit rusty on the court. Hopefully the next one will be better. Bedene surprised me. I had a difficult time reading his serve. The courts are playing a little bit faster than they were in the past two years. If you have a big serve, you know how to use it. It’s a big advantage on these courts. Bedene is a good player. He reached the final in Chennai and qualified again here. I managed to stay tough and overcome some kind of challenges that I faced at the beginning of the match. I played much more comfortably in the rest of the match.”
During the court-side interview Djokovic reflected on how his life has changed since his marriage and the birth of his son Stefan.
“These two events are the most beautiful events I have experience in my life. Stefan is a blessing we received. I have now more motivation”, said Djokovic.
Djokovic was asked what he thinks about the two Australian rising stars Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis who reached the second round yesterday raising the hopes of the Australian “Fanatics”.
“I was saying that they both are very talented. They have a huge motivation to play in front of their fans. They had great opening matches. They could not ask for anything better. They have a huge support. I congratulate them both. It’s not easy as an 18-year-old to overcome the challenges, the pressure and the expectations. Especially Kyrgios, with the amount of attention he got this week, prior to the Australian Open. To be able to face that and win the way they did, shows the character. I wish both well for the rest of the tournament. Nick had a lot of attention in the media. Australia wants to have another big star. Kokkinakis did very well to win yesterday’s match, facing some match points. They have the potential, no doubt about that. It’s a long road ahead of them. I am sure they are aware of it”, said Djokovic
