Winner of the last four editions of the Australian Open he’s competed in (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023), Novak Djokovic added a 29th straight victory to defeat Croatian qualifier Dino Prismic at Melbourne Park on Sunday, but that’s an understatement. To say he didn’t expect to put in so much effort, he had to stay on court for four hours to secure his place in the second round (6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4).
In January 2005, a young 17-year-old Serbian qualified for the Australian Open and was eliminated in the first round as a major seed. His name was Novak Djokovic, he was ranked 188th in the world and he scored in just three games against Marat Safin (6-0, 6-2, 6-1). January 2024, a young 18-year-old Croatian, ATP No. 178, qualified for the Australian Open, doing better against an even scarier seed. His name is Dino Prismic, he is ranked 178th in the world and managed to send shivers down the spine of the world number one, taking a 2-6 lead in the third set heart, even taking a duel lead from 7. -6 (5), 3-2 break!
How did we get there, when Prismic, after the “logical” first set, lost 6-2, bandaged his left thigh and already a little forced to overplay to survive? It’s simple: this prismatic, winner of the last Roland-Garros Juniors, is not a great hope of world tennis. A backwards cap, a jersey in the colors of Brazil, glittering gold chains, perfect technique and a clear inner flame are not his only attributes. He’s no doubt helped by very muscular thighs reminiscent of Holger Rune, top-level ground coverage.
26 unforced errors in two sets
He thus won several extended rallies against the master on the court, during a match where Djokovic sometimes seemed to lack toughness and freshness (what a poor tie-break in the second set, losing 7–5 with four gifts), taking an unquestionable lead. For frustration and inaccuracy by the intensity put in and maintained for longer than expected by the young Croatian. With a total of 26 unforced errors for rounds 2 and 3, Djokovic was unable to switch to imperator mode. However, the most difficult task was done in the third set, promptly erasing the break at 2-2.
Touched, inevitably, by the effort required of him for his magnificent resistance, Prismic began to slide slowly towards the exit and, despite starting 0-5 after saving the ball in the fourth set, could only score four. The last fourteen games of this match could at least give Djokovic, who was visibly relieved after the match point, his tournament full. Who knows if he will face strong opposition at Melbourne Park this year between now and the Final Four? In the second round, on Wednesday, the world number one will face 100% Australian winner Alexey Popyrin (43rd) against Mark Polmans (156th).
