Tennis news - Novak Djokovic comes through Mitchell Krueger test to secure second-round spot
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Updated 15/01/2019 at 14:43 GMT
Six-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic came through a surprisingly tricky test against the USA's Mitchell Krueger to secure his place in the second round, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates his victory against Mitchell Krueger of the US during their men's singles match on day two of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 15, 2019
Image credit: Getty Images
Soaking up the Rod Laver Arena limelight, the Serb moved superbly in his opener and hit 42 winners to wrap up the one-sided clash in little more than two hours.
Djokovic bowed out of the fourth round of last year's tournament bothered by a painful elbow injury but successfully came back from surgery to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
Krueger made a bright start to the first set, breaking the Djokovic serve, and going toe-to-toe with him on the rallies.
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Djokovic breezes past Krueger to reach second round
"It feels great to be healthy and back on this court again," the 14-times Grand Slam champion told reporters.
Twelve months ago it was quite a different sensation on the court with the elbow injury. Twelve months forward, obviously things are quite different.
"Hopefully I can follow up on this victory tonight with a good performance."
But the Serbian bounced right back from that initial stutter to take the first set comprehensively, 6-3, and began the second set in similar style, breaking the Krueger serve.
The world number 230 wasn't to be brushed aside, though, coming up with shots of real ingenuity to test Djokovic, and even drawing applause from his opponent at times.
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‘Oh, come on. Magical!’ - Krueger gives Djokovic the runaround
It was in the third set that Krueger really pushed the world number one, employing the lob and moon ball to good effect, and saving five break points in his second service game to nullify his opponent's attack.
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‘Oh, brilliant, quite brilliant!’ - Krueger comes out on top of enthralling rally
Ultimately, though, it was not quite enough, and Djokovic stepped up his level to win in straight sets in just over two hours.
Djokovic watched injured 'Big Four' rival Andy Murray bow out of the first round in a gallant five-set defeat by Spanish 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut on Monday, and paid tribute to the three-times Grand Slam champion.
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Highlights: Murray's magnificent comeback halted by Bautista Agut
"After two sets, I think no one expected him to really come back, considering how he feels," Djokovic said of Murray's painful right hip.
He showed once again his amazing champion spirit, why he's such a fighter, why he's so respected and appreciated around the tennis world, and sports world in general.
Djokovic will next meet French wildcard Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the man he beat for the 2008 trophy and his first ever Grand Slam title at the age of 20.
"It's funny, I mean, 11 years after our first Grand Slam final here, it feels like a lot has happened for both of us," added Djokovic.
"He also struggled with injuries lately. It's good to see him playing well. It's good to see him back.
With additional reporting from agencies
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