Melbourne (AFP)
The title holder and world No.2 Novak Djokovic gave up a set on Monday to the German Jan-Lennard Struff (37th), but he finally beat him 7-6 (7/5), 2-6, 6- 2, 6-1 in 2:16 and qualified for the second round of the Australian Open.
"I played super well in the second set, but in the third, he turned the situation around and we have to congratulate him, he's a great fighter," commented the Serb who is aiming for an 8th title in Melbourne, a 17th trophy for the Grand Slam.
"It is good to be back on this court, which is the one where I have had the most success in my career, by far," he said in the preamble.
Monday, he signed his 900th victory on the circuit.
"I am very proud of it and I remember that when I started tennis, at 4 years old, there was not yet a tennis tradition in Serbia. It seemed impossible, but here we are ...", he told.
In the next round, the "Djoker" will face the Japanese Tatsuma Ito, beneficiary of an invitation, (146th) or the lucky loser Prajnesh Gunneswaran (123rd).
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