Novak Djokovic struggled in his first round at the Australian Open on February 10, 2021. -

Rick Rycroft / AP / SIPA

Manhandled but qualified.

World number 1 Novak Djokovic struggled to get rid of the brave American Frances Tiafoe (6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3) on Wednesday in the second round of the Australian Open.

The Serbian has not played his best tennis, but he has been able to raise his level and especially the pressure on his opponent at important times.

He will face in the 3rd round an American, Reilly Opelka (38th) or Taylor Fritz (31st).

However, it's already over for Stan Wawrinka.

The Swiss, three-time Grand Slam winner, was eliminated after an exhausting epic in five sets (7-5, 6-1, 4-6, 2-6, 7-6), against Marton Fucsovics.

Winner of the tournament in 2014, he nevertheless obtained three match points in the super tie-break of the last round, but was unable to convert his advantage and ended up giving in to the Hungarian.

Complicated for the French (es)

The Italian Sara Errani (134th in the world and after qualifying) was merciless to eliminate 6-1, 6-0 Venus Williams (81st), 40 years old and significantly reduced physically but who wanted to play until the end .

With a knee and ankle injury, the eldest of the Williams sisters, a finalist in Melbourne in 2003 and 2017 but never a winner, was treated on the court, refusing to give up.

On the French side, it's also over for Alizé Cornet and Corentin Moutet.

The first lost to the young American Ann Li, 20 years old and 69th in the world, despite good opportunities to win the second set.

The second, who came out of a 3:45 fight against John Millman in the first round, was no match for Milos Raonic, still ruthless in service (26 aces).

The beautiful perf of Ferro

The beautiful story of Alexandre Müller, winner of his first round after being drafted in extremis, is also over.

The step was too high against Diego Schwartzman, semi-finalist at Roland Garros, who will have made short work of the French, 210th in the world (6-2, 6-0, 6-3).

However, we will end on a positive note, with the qualification of Fiona Ferro, who confirmed the good impression left in the first round.

The French number 2 (46th world) achieves her best performance in the Australian Grand Slam by rallying the third round, after her victory against the number 17 seed, Elena Rybakina.

In the next round, she could find the winner of the last Roland-Garros Iga Swiatek or Camila Giorgi.

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  • Sport

  • Novak Djokovic

  • Alizé Cornet

  • Stanislas Wawrinka

  • Australian Open

  • Tennis