Australian Open 2024; Novak Djokovic fends off inspired teenager Dino Prizmic in blockbuster opening-round clash
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic brought out the warrior mentality as early as the opening round of his Australian Open 2024 campaign at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday, January 14. The Serb fought back after losing the second set and being a breakdown in the third to beat 18-year-old Dino Prizmic of Croatia 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 in 4 hours and a minute in the men’s singles first round in the evening session.
Dino Prizmic lit up Melbourne Park in the evening session, showcasing his ability to take on the best in the business without being overawed by the sense of occasion. In his maiden Grand Slam appearance, Prizmic made it to the main draw via the qualifiers and put on a show at the biggest of all stages after drawing the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
It was the longest first-round match for Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam match and only the second time he lost a set in his last 17 first-round matches at the Australian Open.
Australian Open 2024 Day 1 Updates
Dino Prizmic was blown away in the opening set 6-2 with the 18-year-old not being able to match the 10-time champion’s class and intensity. However, he took an early break in the second set, perfectly nailing an overhead smash and acknowledging the applause from the crowd by clenching his raised fists. Djokovic broke back and took it to the tie-breaker. Even the best struggle against Djokovic in tie-breakers, but Prizmic took the challenge head-on and went on to win the second set, much to the delight of the Melbourne crowd who were treated to an unexpected close contest on the first-day evening.
Dino Prizmic entered the record books in his first Grand Slam match as became the second-youngest player since the ATP Rankings were published in 1973 to win a set against the World No. 1 at the Australian Open – older only than Leonardo Lavalle in 1985 vs Ivan Lendl.
Dino Prizmic showed he is up for the fight as he went 2-0 down early in the third set, but broke back and made it 2-2. Prizmic was making the seasoned campaigner huff and puff on the court as he was sticking to the basics, primarily not getting daunted by the man on the other side of the court.
However, Djokovic raised his game after the 6th game, winning 3 on the trot to take the set a 2-1 lead against the young teenager.
It looked curtains when Novak Djokovic took a 4-0 lead in the fourth set, but Prizmic won 4 of their next 5 games after saving as many as 3 match points when he was serving to stay in the match at 3-5. The youngster won the hearts of the Melbourne Park crowd with inspired tennis, showcasing his tenacity and the determination to not go down easily.
