Djokovic Dodges Tiafoe's Upset Bid, Reaches Third Round
Novak Djokovic took several shots from Frances Tiafoe on Wednesday inside Rod Laver Arena. But like you’d expect from the World No. 1, the Serbian found a way to withstand them and prevail.
Djokovic defeated the 23-year-old American 6-3, 6-7(3), 7-6(2), 6-3 behind 26 aces to reach the third round of the Australian Open. The top seed wasn’t always at his best, but he played well in key moments to triumph after three hours and 30 minutes.
“It was a very tough match, very warm and a lot of long rallies,” Djokovic said on court. “I want to say that Frances put up a really good fight. The matches are only going to get tougher. I was fortunate to get through the third set today. It was anyone’s game and Frances served great.”
The World No. 1, who is pursuing a record-extending ninth title at this event, had not played Tiafoe before walking onto the court inside Rod Laver Arena for their second-round clash. But Djokovic got all he could handle and then some. However, he showed his champion’s mettle as he pushes for an 18th major trophy.
“When you win a lot on Rod Laver Arena, you feel comfortable,” Djokovic said. “It feels like my living room, although I’m not sitting on my couch – I’m running all over the place. This is the quickest court conditions in the 15 years that I’ve played here.”
Tiafoe, who made a dream run to the Australian Open quarter-finals in 2019, showed how he accomplished that with an inspired performance in front of a raucous crowd. The American had very few lapses of concentration and showed no fear of the moment, instead embracing it and trying to get the crowd involved. There was even a group of young fans holding a sign titled “Church of Frances Tiafoe”.
But while Tiafoe showed stretches of splendid shotmaking and composed play to challenge Djokovic, the few momentary slips of concentration he did have were costly. Djokovic converted five of his 14 break points and went into his trademark “lockdown mode” in the critical third-set tie-break, which made Tiafoe’s prospects of an upset even more daunting.
The final blow came at 3-3 in the fourth set. Facing break point, Djokovic’s forehand return bounced high off the top of the net, and the American rushed in to hit a backhand approach shot. Tiafoe’s problem was that Djokovic guessed the right direction and made the World No. 64 pay by lacing a backhand passing shot up the line for a winner.
The match slipped away from Tiafoe quickly after that. He fought hard throughout, but struck his eighth double fault on match point.
Did You Know?
Djokovic has not lost before the fourth round of a Grand Slam since the 2017 Australian Open. The last time it happened before that was 2008 Wimbledon.