Join Luke McLaughlin for updates from Thursday’s play with Novak Djokovic, Ons Jabeur and Andy Murray in action
Couacaud dumps a backhand into the net for 3-4 to Djokovic. But then he buries a smash emphatically for 4-4 …
The next rally is the best of the match. Djokovic wins it, whipping a forehand winner down the line and then holding a finger to his ear, asking the crowd for a bit of support after all the shouting for his opponent. Couacaud comes storming back yet again on the next point, and forces to 5-5 with Djokovic to serve. There is a lot of shouting and yelling from the crowd who are getting increasingly pumped up. Djokovic takes a moment, but then double faults, and it’s set point for Couacaud!Couacaud is wobbling at 3-0 to the Serb, who raises the intensity of his hitting in line with the importance of this tiebreak. But the Frenchman produces a tremendous point to get a toe-hold at 3-1, then a big serve for 3-2.
Djokovic then hits a whopping serve down the middle, and thinks it’s kissed the line, but it’s called out. Couacaud wins the point on second serve! And he drags it back to 3-3. The crowd chants the Frenchman’s name.Oh yes. Couacaud leaps into a second-serve return and crushes a forehand winner down the line. A moment that encapsulates both his fighting spirit and his ability. There is another powerful exchange on the next point, but Couacaud eventually hits long for 30-15.
Djokovic then holds comfortably enough to set up a second-set tiebreak. The TV director keeps going to the camera trained on his mother, Dijana, who is wearing a look of distinct concern.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jabeur survives scare but Muguruza exits in Australian Open first roundThe No 2 seed Ons Jabeur was not at her best but battled to a 7-6 (8), 4-6, 6-1 win over Tamara Zidansek
Read more »
Andy Murray's simple act at Australian Open wins praiseAusOpen player Andy Murray is being applauded for a simple act after winning a grueling 4-hour and 49-minute-long match. Despite bleeding from the knee and being physically drained, he still made time to clean up his rubbish. Read more:
Read more »
Novak Djokovic says he felt 'so much love' in first Australian Open match since deportationAfter the COVID vaccination and deportation mess of 2022, Novak Djokovic could be forgiven for being a bit wary ahead of his Australian Open return in 2023, but he need not have worried.
Read more »
Australian Open 2023 LIVE updates: Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, Alex De Minaur, Andy Murray in action as second round continuesAustralians Alex de Minaur, Thanasi Kokkinakis and wildcard Kimberly Birrell fight to continue their campaigns alongside international stars Novak Djokovic, Ons Jabeur, Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz.
Read more »
Australian Open 2023 LIVE updates: Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, Alex De Minaur, Andy Murray in action as second round continuesAustralians Alex de Minaur, Thanasi Kokkinakis and wildcard Kimberly Birrell fight to continue their campaigns alongside international stars Novak Djokovic, Ons Jabeur, Casper Ruud and Taylor Fritz.
Read more »