Novak Djokovic overcame a third set blip to secure his 900 tour-level victory after a 7-6(5) 6-2 2-6 6-1 win over Jan-Lennard Struff.
It wasn’t a vintage performance from the defending champion but he produced his best tennis when he needed to against a high-level opponent.
The four set win not only seals a place in the second round of the Australian Open but secures his 900th tour-level win.
Tatsuma Ito or Prajnesh Gunneswaran awaits Djokovic on Wednesday.
The Serb picked up from where he left the ATP Cup as he produced a stunning start to the match as he penetrated his forehand in the early stages.
Although Struff had an amazing 2019 season, he hasn’t yet brought his best tennis when playing the best in the world.
Looking to prove a point, the German managed to fend off Djokovic in the early stages before the defending champion raised his level.
Smooth and fast movement around the forehand as he whipped it with pace and power saw the world number two force a lot of errors from Struff.
Racing into a 5-2 lead, it looked like it would be another typical Djokovic performance in which he makes the strongest players average.
However the German refused to give up as he relied on his confidence from last season. Some magical shot-making and a lapse in concentration saw Struff claw his way back to 5-5 in the opening set.
There was a look of frustration on Djokovic’s face as Struff’s power saw him force a first set tiebreak which was eventually edged by the Serb 7-5.
After a nervy and bizarre opening set, the Serb was back to his best tennis in the second set dominating play from the back of the court, producing some sensational returning.
It was a flatter set from Struff though as he conceded two breaks of serve and fell to a two sets to love deficit in quick fashion.
Although Djokovic produced his best tennis in the second set, the third set was completely the opposite as he lacked concentration and intensity to allow his German opponent back into the match.
The world number 37 broke serve on three occasions as he became the first to take a set off Novak Djokovic in the first round of the Australian Open since 2006.
That resolve and mini-comeback ended as soon as it began though as Djokovic secured his 900th tour-level win after winning six of the last seven games.
After the match, Djokovic sounded proud of his latest milestone, “I’m obviously very proud of all the achievements but at the same time I try to remind myself of how grateful I should be,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview.
“Playing at a very high level in the sport I truly love. Can’t take things for granted, I’m trying to enjoy every moment.”
Although it wasn’t a vintage performance from last year’s champion, it was still a victory against a high-level opponent who was playing some hard-hitting tennis at times.
Next up for the second seed will either be Tatsuma Ito or Prajnesh Gunneswaran.
