Australian Open: Djokovic overcomes health scare to advance third round

• Djokovic survives injury scare to sail into third round
• Serbian is vying for a record-tying 22nd Grand Slam trophy.
• He will face former Grigor Dimitrov, who beat Laslo Djere in three sets.

After overcoming Frenchman Enzo Couacaud here at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday, nine-time winner Novak Djokovic advanced to the third round of the Australian Open despite a near-injury scare.

The 35-year-old beat Couacaud in three hours and four minutes despite having trouble with his left leg. He will face off against former World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov, who overcame Laslo Djere in the third round with scores of 6-3, 6-2, and 6-0.

The Serbian is vying for a record-tying 22nd Grand Slam trophy and, if successful, will retake the top rank in the ATP Rankings.

The left hamstring issue Djokovic was dealing with in the second set started to bother him. The fourth seed, who was heavily strapped while playing, froze after extending for a ball at 4-4 and requested a medical timeout when trailing 4-5.

His freedom of movement was obviously restricted, and Couacaud profited greatly. It was unclear how Djokovic’s body would respond to losing the second set in a tie-break for the match. However, the Serbian remained focused and physically got stronger, winning 12 of the match’s final 14 games.

“It is expected when you walk on the court as favourite and you play someone on this stage for the first time, of course they are going to go for their shots.You just accept it. I had many opportunities in the second to win it and I didn’t. He pushed it to a third and fourth set and you just have to deal with it,” Djokovic said after the match.

“Sometimes the situations don’t go your way but that is sport. I have been in these situations before, so many times in my life and career, so I think that also helps, the experience of understanding what you need to do in the moment to give your best,” he added.

Djokovic has a 7-0 season record after winning his 92nd tour-level championship in Adelaide earlier this month. The Serb suffered a leg injury against Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals of the ATP 250.

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