Australian Open: Rafael Nadal ‘mentally destroyed’ after loss to Mackenzie McDonald amid injury
Follow live updates from the Australian Open as Andy Murray takes on home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round in Melbourne. Murray is looking to build on his sensational opening victory over Matteo Berrettini after the 35-year-old rolled back the years to claim a stunning five-set win against the 13th seed, his best result at a grand slam in half a decade.
Murray now faces the 26-year-old Australian Kokkinakis in what should be a lively encounter at the Margaret Court Arena. A former top-10 junior player, Kokkinakis’ promising career was disrupted by injury and he currently finds himself outside of the top 100, but he will have the backing of the home crowd as he looks to reach the third round of the Australian Open for the first time.
Earlier, American Jenson Brooksby upset second seed Casper Ruud 6-3 7-5 6-7(4) 6-2 to claim the biggest win of his career and reach the third round. Brooksby squandered three match points in the third set but regained his composure to send Ruud packing in just under four hours on Rod Laver Arena. Dan Evans is also through after an ill-tempered win over Jeremy Chardy.
Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, takes on the French qualifier Enzo Couacaud in the headline match on Rod Laver Arena. Follow live updates and the latest scores from the Australian Open in our live blog below.
Australian Open 2023: Game, set and match!
Olympic champion Belinda Bencic survives a scare to put away Claire Liu 7-6 6-3 in one hour and 51 minutes on Margaret Court Arena.
That means that Andy Murray vs Thanasi Kokkinakis is (finally) up next.
It’s going to be a long night for Murray, with this match set to start at around 10:15pm local time.
Jamie Braidwood19 January 2023 11:07
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-7 2-0 Enzo Couacaud
Eh, what? Djokovic emerges from losing the tiebreak to win the next EIGHT points in a row – first holding to love and then breaking Couacaud’s serve without dropping a point.
It’s like flicking a switch as he puts a forehand winner down the line. That’s how you win back momentum.
Jamie Braidwood19 January 2023 11:04
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-7 Enzo Couacaud – Couacaud wins second set!
UNREAL! The French qualifier Enzo Couacaud has just played the set of his life, and the world No 191 has made it one set all agains the nine-time Australian Open champion and tournament favourite Novak Djokovic!
Djokovic will now need to play two more sets, at least, on a dodgy hamstring.
Jamie Braidwood19 January 2023 10:57
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-6 Enzo Couacaud – Tiebreak!
Ooof. That’s a nervous looking backhand slice from Couacaud – halfway up the net.
But then he attacks the Djokovic forehand – moving him around – before putting away a smash down the middle of the court! 4-4.
Defence from Djokovic! He raises a finger to his ear after winning a 24-shot rally! Couacaud had the chance to put him away down the line, but Djokovic then snaps up the crosscourt forehand down the line!
But then Couacaud responds to win an epic point of his own! Sensational! 5-5!
No way! Djokovic then throws in a double fault! Couacaud has set point!
Jamie Braidwood19 January 2023 10:52
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-6 Enzo Couacaud – Tiebreak!
Would Djokovic retire from the match if this goes to at least four sets? Is he more likely to play on if he can get it done in three? The next few minutes could decide that…
Jamie Braidwood19 January 2023 10:50
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-6 Enzo Couacaud – Tiebreak!
This is a huge chance for Enzo Couacaud – but Djokovic shows great defence on the opening point as the Frenchman misses the smash! Djokovic limps after coming down on his left leg, but another error from Couacaud sees Djokovic take a 3-0 lead early in the tiebreak.
Great determination from Couacaud – he gets back in touch after prevailing on a smash, before Djokovic nets. Back to 3-2.
And then Djokovic goes long on the backhand! Back to 3-3 at the change of ends!
Jamie Braidwood19 January 2023 10:47
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-1 6-6 Enzo Couacaud – Tiebreak!
Djokovic grits his teeth again and Couacaud can’t get close to a break point. Onto the tiebreak we go!
Jamie Braidwood19 January 2023 10:46
Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-6 Enzo Couacaud
This is starting to get really uncomfortable for Novak Djokovic, as he pulls up while chasing for Couacaud’s forehand crosscourt.
Somehow, he’s able to show grit and raise his level – getting back to deuce before steering a backhand pass. He’s still hitting it cleanly.
Suddenly he gets break point after Couacaud is forced long, but then Djokovic hands it back with an error of his own.
Couacaud gets tight as Djokovic looks at another break point, but the Frenchman is able to hang in and save it with a winner.
Huge roar from Couacaud! He saves two break points to hold and will get a tiebreak at least in this second set!
This is a brilliant effort from the world 191! 191!
Jamie Braidwood19 January 2023 10:41
Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-5 Enzo Couacaud*
There’s no doubt about it now: Djokovic is limping between points, and seems to pull up after hitting a backhand down the line. He’s still able to crush a forehand winner after Couacaud got to 30-30, but there’s the limp again after the point!
Couacaud now has confidence taking on Djokovic in the longer rallies – and gets to deuce and Djokovic goes long on the forehand.
He’s two points from the second set – but Djokovic comes in well to control a backhand volley at the net.
And that’s a good serve from Djokovic, which Couacaud can only put into the net on the stretch.
Jamie Braidwood19 January 2023 10:34
Australian Open 2023: *Novak Djokovic 6-1 4-5 Enzo Couacaud
Djokovic is back on court. It looks like he has had his strapping re-taped on the left leg, but let’s see how that hamstring holds up now.
Jamie Braidwood19 January 2023 10:27
Kaynak: briturkish.com