Novak Djokovic has thanked the crowd for “the kind of reception he could only dream of” after making the perfect return to the Australian Open with victory over Roberto Corballos Baena.
The Serb won 6-3 6-4 6-0 in Melbourne in his first Grand Slam match since his controversial expulsion last year.
Djokovic, 35, displayed flags and banners around Rod Laver Arena, cheering loudly.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better start to the tournament,” he said.
“Nole! Nole! Nole!” The fourth seed also rang the bell in the 15,000-capacity arena after securing crucial points in a one-sided first-round match against Spain’s Carballes Baena.
“Thank you for giving me the kind of welcome I could only dream of,” he told the packed crowd.
“I’m really happy to be back here in Australia and on the court where I’ve had the biggest success of my career.
“Certainly this court is the most special court of my life.”
Djokovic was unable to compete in last year’s event after the Australian government canceled his visa because of his Covid-19 vaccination status.
He had already received a lot of support from the fans when he returned to Australia in early January.
He also praised the response he received from a sold-out Rod Laver Arena in an exhibition match with Nick Kyrgios earlier this week.
Djokovic overcomes hamstring concerns in clinical win
The Wimbledon champion is looking to make up for lost time as he chases Rafael Nadal’s record 22 Grand Slam titles, who also missed last year’s US Open due to travel restrictions in the United States.
Once again warmly supported by the crowd, Djokovic masterfully finished off world No. 75 Corbeles-Baina in just over two hours.
Djokovic is dealing with a hamstring injury and arrived on court with a heavy brace on his upper left leg.
But he didn’t seem deterred by the issue and went on to show his class on his favorite court in a near-perfect third set, rallying to save three break points in the fifth game of the match that saw him lose just four. Seen losing. Points in last six games.
It extended his impressive winning streak at the Australian Open to 35 matches – a run that stretches into 2018 – and the style of the victory suggests he will be hard to stop once again.
He will next play either Bolivia’s Hugo Delaney or French qualifier Enzo Kokad in the second round.
Zverev claimed his first victory back from injury.
Alexander Zverev claimed his first singles win after tearing multiple knee ligaments with a five-set victory over lucky loser Juan Pablo Varela.
The German, who underwent surgery after injuring his right ankle in the French Open semi-finals in June, lost 4-6 6-1 5-7 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 to Peru’s Varela.
“Whatever happens now, this tournament is a success for me,” Zverev said.
Zverev, 25, missed Wimbledon and the US Open after suffering the injury in his match against Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, only returning to the court for an appearance in December.
He was on court for four hours against Varela and will next face either American lucky loser Michael Moh or French qualifier Laurent Loculi.
Second seed Casper Rudd won in four sets against Czech Tomas Mackay.
The 24-year-old Norwegian won 6-3 7-6 (8-6) 6-7 (7-5) 6-3 to set up a second-round meeting with American Jensen Brooksby, who came from behind to beat Australian Christopher O. had come Connell 3-6 6-2 6-3 6-2.
Fifth seed Andrey Rublev beat 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem 6-3 6-4 6-2 as Austrian wildcard Thiem continued his comeback from injury.
Eighth seed Taylor Fritz of the United States needed four sets to beat Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia, 6-4 6-2 4-6 7-5, while Danish ninth seed Holger Roane saw off Filip Krajinovic of Serbia. defeated 6-2 6-3 6-4.
Spanish 14th seed Pablo Carreno Busta won 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 7-6 (7-3) against Argentina’s Pedro Kitchin and Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov defeated former semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev of Russia. overcame 7-6 (7-6). 3) 7-5 6-2.
