In a thrilling start to the 2025 Australian Open, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic overcame a shaky beginning to defeat 19-year-old American debutant Nishesh Basavareddy, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. The match marked Djokovic’s first with former rival Andy Murray as his coach, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the encounter at Melbourne Park.
Basavareddy, who recently turned professional after leaving Stanford University, stunned the crowd by claiming the first set against the seasoned Serbian. Djokovic struggled to find his rhythm early on, prompting strategic advice from Murray. “I’m obviously thrilled to have him in my corner,” Djokovic said of his new coach. “It was a little bit strange having him courtside, but he gave me some great advice mid-match.”
The turning point came after an animated exchange between Djokovic and Murray before the fourth set. The 37-year-old Djokovic began to dominate, displaying his trademark resilience. After a crucial break at the 90-minute mark, Djokovic’s fiery celebration signaled a shift in momentum. Basavareddy, ranked 107th, began to show signs of fatigue, taking a medical timeout before the third set and struggling with leg discomfort.
With this victory, Djokovic continues his pursuit of an unprecedented 25th major title and an 11th Australian Open championship. His next challenge will be against Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria, another emerging talent in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz commenced his quest to achieve a career Grand Slam with a commanding 6-1, 7-5, 6-1 win over Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko. The 21-year-old Alcaraz, aiming to become the youngest man to secure all four major titles, overcame initial nerves to deliver an impressive performance.
In other action, 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria was forced to retire due to injury while trailing 7-5, 2-1 against Italian lucky loser Francesco Passaro, making Dimitrov the first top-10 player to exit the tournament.
The opening day at Melbourne Park set the stage for what promises to be an exciting tournament, with seasoned veterans and rising stars vying for glory in one of tennis’s most prestigious events.
Reference(s):
Djokovic survives Australian Open scare, Alcaraz reaches second round
cgtn.com
