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Couacaud 1-6, 3-2 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Couacaud produces his first ace for 40-30. Djokovic then makes an uncharacteristic error, hitting wide to hand his opponent a free point. A very rare free point. Couacaud will take it.
*Couacaud 1-6, 2-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Can Couacaud exert pressure on his opponent’s serve? That’s a negative. Another love hold for the Serb.
Emma Kemp
Years ago, before Thanasi Kokkinakis first met Andy Murray, he formed a preconceived idea about the Scottish player’s temperament. “I remember watching him when I was younger thinking: ‘This dude looks moody as hell, he looks miserable,’” Kokkinakis says. “Then, when you got to know him, he is actually a ripper bloke and a good guy. I’ll put all that aside and give it a crack tomorrow.”
Couacaud 1-6, 2-1 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
The good news is that Couacaud is moving well following that ankle roll. Serving well, too, and he holds his serve again to edge 2-1 in front in the second. Can he exert any pressure on the Djokovic serve? Henman, on commentary, has observed that Djokovic’s serving action is simplified in comparison to a few years ago. That seems to be allowing him to hit his spot with metronomic accuracy.
*Couacaud 1-6, 1-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic tonks down a few big serves and chalks up his second love hold of the match.
Couacaud 1-6, 1-0 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
The Mauritius-born Frenchman does extremely well to hold serve from 0-30 down.
Djokovic wins first set v Couacaud: 6-1
The Frenchman is fighting as hard as he can, and has caused some problems, but Djokovic is just getting warmed up …
On John Cain Arena, Adrian Mannarino and Alex de Minaur (22) are in a first-set tiebreak.
No, I tell a lie. Murray v Kokkinakis is on after Liu v Bencic, and they are in the first set, Liu leading her Swiss opponent 4-2.
Andy Murray’s match is now scheduled to begin at 10am UK time.
Couacaud 1-5 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
A double break now for Djokovic, who will serve for the first set.
He said the other day that the balls are slower than in previous years. He seems to be capitalising on that by belting the ball with phenomenal power from the baseline. Less speed off the court, perhaps, but more control.
Our image library throws up some pictures of Enzo Couacaud playing John Isner at Wimbledon last year. Which is a nice reminder that it will be summer again in the UK before too long.
*Couacaud 1-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
A comfy hold for the world No 5.
It would be a shame if Couacaud is seriously restricted by that ankle injury. He was battling really well and competing well, and causing Djokovic some problems.
Couacaud 1-3 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
The players are back on court. Djokovic is serving after breaking the Frenchman’s serve just now.
The doctor comes on. “I rolled my ankle,” Couacaud confirms. He seems perfectly sanguine about it now. Some magic spray is administered. It’s officially a medical timeout for the Frenchman.
A few minutes ago, the commentator on Eurosport said of Couacaud: “He’s not a young man – he’s 27.”
It’s all relative, isn’t it?
Couacaud 1-3 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Couacaud is going toe to toe with the world No 5 and nine-times Australian Open winner. Djokovic takes him to deuce, but in a mesmerising 21-shot rally, Djokovic eventually hits long and hands the point to the Frenchman.
Couacaud tries an audacious back-handed drop shot to win the game but fluffs it. On his next game point he tries a lob, which Djokovic doesn’t bother to run for, but it bounces just out. Then a break point for Djokovic – Couacaud smashes a serve down the middle that the Serb has no right to keep in play. But of course he does. No worries, Couacaud wins the point with an assured overhead smash. He then takes another advantage with a stunning winner down the line and treats himself to a fist pump in the direction of his team … but Djokovic pulls him back again and grabs another game point after a thrilling exchange from the baseline …
Couacaud fights like mad to save the break point – Djokovic wins it after Couacaud comes to the net. Oh dear – it looks like Couacaud has twisted his right ankle and the physio has been called. I think he may even be in tears. He tried to change direction quickly after a couple of volleys at the net.
*Couacaud 1-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Three holds of serve to begin on Rod Laver Arena and Djokovic leads as the players take a drink.
“Oh, my God, I did almost everything to try to fix my serve … You can’t even imagine how much I worked. I’m just super happy right now that everything is working.”
Ominously for her rivals in the women’s singles draw, Aryna Sabalenka has made great strides with her serve. She was sans double-fault in blitzing Shelby Rogers 6-1, 6-3, to roar into the third round, today:
Couacaud 1-1 *Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Predictably, Couacaud is taken to deuce on his own service game, having led 30-0. But he holds steady and comes through, rounding off the game with a serve-volley.
“I was pissed, and I was even more pissed when she didn’t tell me she made the mistake.”
Jérémy Chardy lost his temper with the umpire, Miriam Bley of Germany, in his straight -sets defeat by Dan Evans earlier today.
The good news? Evans won in straight sets! 6-4, 6-4, 6-1.
*Couacaud 0-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Love hold for Djokovic. Now Couacaud’s serve faces an examination from the best returner there is …
Preamble
Greetings, sports fans. Specifically tennis fans. What’s occurring today at Melbourne Park? Novak Djokovic is just getting his second-round match started against the qualifier Enzo Couacaud, who is 27 years old and ranked 191 in the world. He plays under the French flag but was born in Mauritius.
In about 45 minutes, Andy Murray is scheduled to start his second-round match against the Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, ranked 159. How will Murray’s body be shaping up after his five-set epic against Matteo Berrettini a couple of days ago? We will find out.
Now, Djokovic is under way against Couacaud, serving first up.
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