Novak Djokovic had a horrible draw to play in the first round an ever-dangerous Fernando Verdasco. In fact, you never know what are you going to face when you play the erratic Spaniard that can beat everyone on court if he is in the right mood. Just a few days before, the Serb defeated Verdasco in Doha after saving five match points, and he feared to endure the same struggle in Melbourne. Yesterday, it was a different story: Verdasco was quite far from his very best to show some decent tennis only in the middle of the second set, but eventually he succumbed in straight sets 6-1 7-6(4) 6-2 without offering too much opposition.
I am happy with the result. DJOKOVIC
After the match, Nole admitted that he was quite happy with the result to comment
“I’m very pleased with the first round, considering I had one of the toughest first-round draws, definitely considering his form. He’s a quality player. He’s a big match, big-time player.
From one perspective, it was good that I got to have the very tough first-round match, because it made me prepare better and kind of approach the tournament with the right intensity, right from the first point.”
Next vs. Istomin
Nole will play the world no. 117 Denis Istomin in the second round. Nole leads Istomin 5-0. It should not be a problem for him to make it 6.
