Australian Open 2023 Results: Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev Advance on Day Two

Novak Djokovic thanked the crowd for a “welcoming reception he could only dream of” after he made the perfect return to the Australian Open with victory over Roberto Carballes Baena.

Djokovic, 35, walked out to loud cheers, with flags and banners displayed around Rod Laver Arena.

“I couldn’t ask for a better start to the tournament,” he said.

Chants of “Nole! Nole! Nole!” also rang around the 15,000 capacity arena after the fourth seed won crucial points in a one-sided first-round match against Spain’s Carballes Baena.

“Thank you for giving me such a welcoming reception that I could only dream of,” he told the packed crowd.

“I feel really happy that I’m back here in Australia and on the court where I have had the biggest success in my career.

“Definitely this court is the most special court in my life.”

Djokovic was unable to compete at last year’s event after the Australian government cancelled his visa because of his Covid-19 vaccination status.

He had already received plenty of support from fans on his return to Australia earlier in January.

He also praised the reaction he received from a sold-out Rod Laver Arena in an exhibition match with Nick Kyrgios earlier this week.

Djokovic shakes off hamstring concerns in clinical win

The Wimbledon champion is looking to make up for lost time as he pursues Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles, having also missed last year’s US Open because of the United States’ travel restrictions.

Once again receiving warm support from the crowd, Djokovic proceeded to expertly dismantle world number 75 Carballes Baena’s game in a little over two hours.

Djokovic has been managing a hamstring injury and took to the court with heavy strapping on his upper left leg.

But he did not appear limited by the problem and, sparking into action to save three break points in the fifth game of the match, went on to demonstrate his class on his favourite court in a near-perfect third set which saw him lose just four points in the final six games.

It extended his remarkable winning streak at the Australian Open to 35 matches – a run stretching back to 2018 – and the manner of the victory suggests he will be difficult to stop once again.

He will play Bolivian Hugo Dellien or French qualifier Enzo Couacaud next in the second round.

Zverev claims first victory of injury comeback

Alexander Zverev claimed his first singles win since tearing several knee ligaments with a five-set victory over lucky loser Juan Pablo Varillas.

The German, who had surgery after injuring his right ankle in the French Open semi-finals in June, came through 4-6 6-1 5-7 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 against Peru’s Varillas.

“Whatever happens now, this tournament is a success for me,” Zverev said.

Zverev, 25, missed Wimbledon and the US Open after sustaining the injury in his match against Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, only returning to the court for an exhibition in December.

He was on the court for four hours against Varillas and will face American lucky loser Michael Mmoh or French qualifier Laurent Lokoli next.

Second seed Casper Ruud came through in four sets against Czech player Tomas Machac.

The Norwegian, 24, won 6-3 7-6 (8-6) 6-7 (7-5) 6-3 to set up a second-round meeting with American Jenson Brooksby, who came from behind to beat Australian Christopher O’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 Austria’s wildcard Thiem continues his return from injury.

American eighth seed Taylor Fritz required four sets to beat Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili, winning 6-4 6-2 4-6 7-5, while Danish ninth seed Holger Rune defeated Serbia’s Filip Krajinovic 6-2 6-3 6-4.

Spanish 14th seed Pablo Carreno Busta won 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 7-6 (7-3) against Argentine Pedro Cachin, and Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov overcame former semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev of Russia 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 6-2.

Britons Andy Murray and Dan Evans were also among the winners on Tuesday.