Australian Open: 'Was pushed to the limit,' says Novak Djokovic after Round 2

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic impressed with American Frances Tiafoe‘s fighting spirit after surviving Australian Open scare in second round

Pumped-up defending champion Novak Djokovic admitted he was “pushed to the limit” by dangerous American Frances Tiafoe on Wednesday, who took the World No. 1 to four gruelling sets at the Australian Open. 

The Serbian top seed looked in control after taking the first set, but lightning-quick Tiafoe, who reached the quarter-finals two years ago, refused to go quietly. He bounced back to take a close second set before Djokovic dug deep to emerge a 6-3, 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 winner and continue his relentless march towards a ninth Australian Open title. 

“I was impressed with the way he was competing. He served very well, he fought hard,” said Djokovic. “I thought we both played on a pretty high level. I mean, he pushed me to the very limit. Just overall challenging conditions,” he added. 

“It was very hot, we had long exchanges. It was a tough match, and I’m really glad to overcome such a battle.” He will play another American, Taylor Fritz, in the third round after he battled past Reilly Opelka in five sets.

Djokovic, who dropped only six games in his opening round clash, had never played Tiafoe, but quickly adapted. On a hot day, with ice towels being used for the first time at the tournament, he immediately broke to race into a 3-0 lead, but some uncharacteristically poor serving allowed the energetic American back into the set. 

It was a stumble that rattled Djokovic, who quickly broke again, pumping his fist in the air as he screamed at his box. Neither player gave an inch in the tight second set, with Tiafoe’s mix of power and unusual shots appearing to put Djokovic off his game as he came out on top in a tiebreak. 

The Serb moved up a level in the third set, but so did Tiafoe as they traded blows until too many unforced errors ensured Djokovic took the set. They went shot-for-shot in the fourth until a glorious backhand gave Djokovic the crucial break for 4-3, with a frustrated Tiafoe slapped with a warning for swearing then double-faulting to hand the top seed the match.

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