The Serbian and world no.1 Novak Djokovic survived a challenge to overcome the 18-year-old Croat Dino Prizmic 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, winning in four hours to reach the second round in Melbourne for the 17th time in 19 appearances.
Nole successfully started his 2023 season on Tuesday with a straightforward 6-3, 6-2 win over Constant Lestienne of France at the Adelaide International I.
Making his first appearance in Dubai since 2016, the four-time former champion beat Malek Jaziri in straights sets, 6-1, 6-2 to reach the second round. He will next meet German Philipp Kohlschreiber (11-2 H2H record).
The Serbian star dismissed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and 36 minutes to reach the second round in Paris. Novak will next face Swiss lucky loser Henri Laaksonen (ATP #104)
After missing last year's US Open due to elbow injury, Novak returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time since finishing runner-up to Stan Wawrinka in 2016 final. The sixth seed survived a gruelling fitness test under the scorching New York sun to progress into the second round
