Novak Djokovic’s winning streak at the Australian Open has extended to 30 matches after he defeated Alexei Popyrin in a tense four-set battle.
The world number one was pushed by the 24-year-old from Sydney, surviving several scares in the three-hour match.
But it was a brief exchange with a fan midway through the fourth set which seemed to spark Djokovic, who then won four of the next five games to move onto the third round.
The incident happened before the start of the fifth game, when Djokovic took exception to something said to him from a spectator.
“You wanna come here? Come here and say it to my face,” he said, confronting the fan.
Djokovic gave a mighty roar after winning match point, pumping his fist to the crowd in a gesture usually saved for later rounds.
Djokovic needed just one break of serve to win the first set, looking comfortable on serve.
But Popyrin grew into the contest against the Serbian legend and broke serve in the fourth game of the second set.
Popyrin looked to have blown his chance to win the second set when he failed to serve it out at 5-4.
But the Australian applied pressure to Djokovic’s serve in the following game, with the Serbian committing two unforced errors on the forehand.
Popyrin took advantage and squared the match with a terrific backhand winner over Djokovic’s head.
Popyrin needed a medical timeout midway through the third set, with his left calf causing him concern.
He returned to the court a short time later and won his next service game.
The Australian had chances to win the third set, with four set points in the 10th game against Djokovic’s serve.
But the world number one had an answer every time, before sealing the set in a tie breaker.
Djokovic said the third-set tie breaker was the momentum swing he needed to win on Wednesday.
“He was the better player I think, for a set and a half — I think second set and third set he was the better player,” Djokovic said.
“Things changed around. I think the momentum shifted in the tie break. I managed to, I guess, put one ball more in the court than he did so that’s all.”
The Serbian will now meet Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the third round.
Keep across all the latest from Melbourne Park in our blog below, check out live scores with our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.
Key events
Australians on court today
- Alex de Minaur (10) def Matteo Arnaldi 6-3, 6-0, 6-3
- Storm Hunter (Q) def Laura Siegemund 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
- Ben Shelton (16) def Chris O’Connell 6-4, 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(7/5)
- Stefanos Tsitsipas (7) def Jordan Thompson 4-6 7-6(8/6), 6-2, 7-6(7/4)
- Novak Djokovic (1) def Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(7/4), 6-3
That is all for our coverage today
What a day of action!
Alex de Minaur was impressive, Storm Hunter was outstanding.
And we were treated to a real show this evening from Popyrin, Thompson and O’Connell.
We will be back again tomorrow for day five from Melbourne Park.
Rublev through in straight sets over Eubanks
Djokovic says Popyrin was better for long parts of their match
Comments from Novak:
“He was the better player I think for a set and a half, I think second set and third set he was the better player,” he said.
“Things changed around. I think the momentum shifted in the tie break. I managed to, I guess, put one ball more in the court than he did so that’s all.”
Novak Djokovic defeats Alexei Popyrin
He has done it.
Djokovic is through.
And he turns to the crowd and screams.
Not sure if it was in celebration or in relation to that incident earlier.
Popyrin survives three match points
Djokovic was 0-40 up with three match points, but Popyrin served his way to victory.
It could be a final act of defiance as Novak now serves for the match at 5-3.
Djokovic breaks Popyrin in the fourth set
Since his interaction with the crowd, Djokovic has stepped his game up.
He came after Popyrin’s serve and broke the Australian.
He has taken command of the set, and Alexei’s valiant fight may now have a shelf life.
Djokovic having words with the crowd
Something has been said from a spectator which Djokovic did not like.
“Come and say it to my face,” he said to a member in the stands, urging them to step up from their seat and confront him.
Not what you want to see.
Upset in the men’s draw as 17th seed is knocked out
Djokovic wins tie breaker, after saving four set points
Popyrin asked the world number one so many questions, but Djokovic had the answers.
Novak had to battle, but he was better more often and won a tense third set.
Third set tie breaker for Djokovic and Popyrin
Djokovic survives four set points
Alexei Popyrin has returned from his medical timeout and continued to challenge Novak Djokovic.
He had three set points at 0-40, but the world number one served himself out of trouble — like the champion he is.
The set is on serve at 5-5, Popyrin to serve.
Tsitsipas hails the ‘insane’ match he had with Thompson
Tsitsipas says he gave it his all tonight, praising Jordan Thompson and the crowd.
The adreraline and the rush I got out of this match was insane tonight.
You live for this kid of matches. The intensity was there today.
Tsitsipas prevails in a brilliant four-set match
Tsitsipas has finally done it, overcoming John Thompson to make it to the third round.
His first serve was brilliant in the tie breaker, winning it 7-4.
Thompson misses multiple set points
Tsitsipas has got out of jail and has sent the fourth set to a tie breaker.
Thompson must win the tie breaker to send the match to a fifth set.
He will be kicking himself, he had four chances to wrap up the set in the game before.
Popyrin back on court, continues third set with Djokovic
Physio called of Popyrin who is suffering from cramping
Alexei Popyrin has called for the physio, with a left calf issue.
It appears to be cramping.
This is a boost for Djokovic who has been given a real test thus far.
Popyrin has now taken a medical timeout.
Hopefully, this is a minor issue.
Tsitsipas fails to convert two match points
Brilliant from Thompson.
Tsitsipas was serving with two match points and somehow the Australian came out the other side.
The fourth set is back on serve, at 5-5.
Alexei telling the crowd to get louder
It is hard to believe the crowd at Rod Laver Arena could get louder, but they have.
Serving in the third game, he wins two points which could easily go down as the best of the tournament.
Both men ran side to side, returning the un-returnable, with Popyrin both times winning the point.
And he is gesturing to the crowd to get on their feet, and they respond in kind.
Some wild stats from Alexei vs Novak
Here are two wild statistics for you.
- 1.Djokovic has now lost more sets in this tournament than he did when he won the Australian Open last year.
- 2.Alexei Popyrin is the fourth Australian to win a set against Djokovic in a grand slam match. The other three are Lleyton Hewitt, Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomić.
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