Ten-time Novak Djokovic overcame a hesitant start on Monday against the unseeded American Nishesh Basavareddy to advance to the second round at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Djokovic, 38, who is bidding to hoist a record-extending 25th Grand Slam singles trophy at Melbourne Park, was expected to sweep through the match against the 19-year-old.
But the Serb found himself under the cosh. Basavareddy, who was making his debut in the main draw at one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, dealt with his nerves and rapidly deployed the range of shots that took him to the semi-finals at the Auckland International last week.
He claimed the opener in 49 minutes and held firm throughout the second. But with two points to level at 4-4, he faltered. Overcome by cramp, Basavareddy lost four consecutive points to give Djokovic the break and a 5-3 lead.
From there, the veteran took control. Djokovic held serve to level the match at one set apiece and broke Basavareddy early in the third set to maintain his grip. It was all over in four sets in just under three hours.
"He was the better player for the first set and a half," Djokovic conceded. "I'd never seen him play up until three or four days ago. He"s a complete player and I was pleasantly surprised at some of the shots.
"It's not easy coming out on centre court for your first match at a Grand Slam tournament but he handled himself very well and if he continues to do that I am sure we will see a lot more of him in the future."
There were mixed fortunes for the French contingent during the second day of play at the season's first Grand Slam tournament.
Arthur Cazaux came from a break down in the final set to see off the 28th seed Sebastian Baez. It finished 6-3, 5-7, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 to the 22-year-old who reeled off five games on the trot to clinch the tie.
Recovery
Compatriot Arthur Rinderknech also hit a purple patch to recover a two-set deficit and force the 17th seed Frances Tiafoe into a fifth set.
But the 26-year-old American - a semi-finalist at the US Open last September - prevailed in the decider 6-3.
"Frances has been a top 10 or top 20 player for years and years," said Rinderknech. "He used his experience and the final set was a bit disjointed for me."
The 29-year-old, who lost in the first round at the tournament in 2023 and 2024, added: "He played well in the key points to get the win so well done to him."
Alexandre Müller, who claimed a first title on the ATP circuit in Hong Kong last week, was unable to continue his streak.
At a career high of 56 in the world following the victory in Hong Kong, he was pitted against the world number 33 Nuno Borges from Portugal who won 6-7, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5.
Benjamin Bonzi initially overpowered the former top 10 player David Goffin in the first two sets and held off the Belgian's fightback to move into the second round 6-1, 6-2, 7-6.
Elsewhere in the draw, top seed Jannik Sinner started the defence of his crown with a 7-6, 7-6, 6-1 win over Nicolas Jarry. Third seed Carlos Alcaraz also progressed in straight sets but the 2023 runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas went out. The 11th seed lost in four sets to the unseeded American Alex Michelsen.
In the women's draw, second seed Iga Swiatek and third seed Coco Gauff progressed to the second round following wins in straight sets.
French female players fared poorly for a second day. On Sunday, Chloé Paquet and the French number one Diane Parry were eliminated. On Monday, Caroline Garcia, the country's second best player, lost in three sets to the former champion Naomi Osaka and Léolia Jeanjean, who emerged from the qualifying tournament, lost to fellow qualifier Jodie Burrage.
