Djokovic survives Australian Open scare while Alcaraz coasts through

Novak Djokovic survived a first-round Australian Open scare against Grand Slam debutant Nishesh Basavareddy, fighting from a set down to win 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-2.

Basavareddy, aged just 19 and world No 107, showed superb power, stamina and nerve to claim the opening set at the Rod Laver Arena - a particularly impressive feat considering the American only turned professional last month and was appearing in Australia as a wildcard.

Djokovic, a 10-time winner in Melbourne, fired back, though, and with Basavareddy struggling badly with cramp and fatigue towards the end of the second set, the Serb was on hand to level the contest up as coach Andy Murray watched on.

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That momentum continued into the third set, as Djokovic registered the one break he needed to claim it, and with Basavareddy struggling with his first serve in the fourth - which had proven a real threat earlier in the match - Djokovic was able to pick off breaks and get the job done.

The 37-year-old, seeded seventh in this year's Australian Open, will next face Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria.

Alcaraz coasts past Shevchenko into second round

Carlos Alcaraz began his bid to complete a career Grand Slam with an imperfect but entertaining 6-1 7-5 6-1 win over Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko.

Four-time major champion Alcaraz is targeting his maiden trophy at Melbourne Park to become the youngest man to capture all four Grand Slam titles and the 21-year-old impressed after a slightly nervy opening game.

"I always say that it's hard work," Alcaraz said. "I try to bring the best of me every day. That's the secret. Every day I try to be a better person and better player."

The third seed, still fine-tuning a new service motion that he adopted in the off season, fended off a break point and then broke in the third game to take full control of the opening set which he wrapped up in double quick time.

Reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz found his range with some devastating winners on both flanks and went up 3-1 in the second set but world number 77 Shevchenko won the next four games as fans on Margaret Court Arena got behind the underdog.

Alcaraz switched back on and struck a fiery forehand winner to set up another break point and drew level in the 10th game as his opponent began to feel the intense pressure again and went on to surrender the set.

With the momentum having swung definitively, 2022 US Open champion Alcaraz reeled off games in the third set and finished it off with a big ace on his fifth match point to book a second-round meeting with Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka.

"He's a really solid player," Alcaraz said. "I have to be focused on my shots. Hopefully I can enjoy the match, it's going to be tough. I'll try to produce some good tennis for people to enjoy."

Meanwhile, Bulgarian 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov retired hurt while trailing 5-7 1-2 to Italian lucky loser Francesco Passaro, becoming the first top-10 player to exit the tournament.

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