Mon Jan 13 18:10:04 UTC 2025: ## Djokovic Survives First-Round Scare at Australian Open
**Melbourne, Australia** – Novak Djokovic advanced to the second round of the Australian Open on Monday, but not without a significant scare from wildcard entry Nishesh Basavareddy. The 19-year-old American, of Indian origin, stunned the world No. 7 in the first set, winning 6-4. Basavareddy’s strong performance and impressive fighting spirit earned him significant applause from the crowd.
However, Djokovic, chasing a record 11th Australian Open title and 25th Grand Slam overall, rallied after the first set. Fatigue appeared to set in for Basavareddy, who also suffered cramps, allowing Djokovic to level the match with a 6-3 second-set victory. Djokovic then dominated the third and fourth sets, winning 6-4 and 6-2 respectively, to secure a 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 2-6 victory.
“I was impressed by him,” Djokovic commented post-match. “The whole stadium was. He showed great quality of tennis and fighting spirit.” Despite the loss, Basavareddy’s performance marked a promising start to his Australian Open campaign.
First Piper 