Australian Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic begins title defence against Dino Prizmic before Aryna Sabalenka in action

Djokovic 6-2 Prizmic* – Djokovic wins the opening set

It’s all going as expected on Rod Laver Arena as Djokovic seals the opening set of his title defence with an ace. A 42-minute opening set from the Serbian and an impressive start against the young challenger.

*Djokovic 5-2 Prizmic – Djokovic breaks

An immaculate return game from Djokovic, and the world number one takes the double break in this opening set. Prizmic has not done much wrong, but Djokovic’s returning was so strong and then was then able to find his spots with effortless ease in the rallies. Prizmic found two good serves from 0-30, but Djokovic’s returns were too good. The 18-year-old shrugs as he walks back to his bench. What else can you do?

A big upset alert on the John Cain Arena – as 12th seed Taylor Fritz trails Facundo Diaz Acosta by two sets to one. Fritz got to the US Open quarter-finals last season but had early exits at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon, and is in trouble again here.

Oh. The trainer is out… but it’s not for Djokovic. Prizmic holds serve with his first ace of the match – but immediately calls for the trainer. There have been several long rallies in the match so far and I was just about to say that Djokovic’s wrist was going to get a proper test in this first-round match… but it’s the 18-year-old who is requiring early treatment.

The trainer is getting a massage on his left leg and has taken a medical timeout. Prizmic had to come through qualifying so has racked up a lot of time on court already this week.

That should settle the young Prizmic, as the Croatian takes on Djokovic’s depth from the back of the court and emerges with his first hold of the match to get onto the scoreboard.

It’s hard to understate just how big an occasion this must be for Prizmic as he faces his idol.

*Djokovic 1-0 Prizmic – Djokovic breaks

Understandably, it’s a nervy start from the teenager as he takes on the 24-time grand slam champion, as a double fault sees Prizmic face 0-30 on serve. Djokovic is forced to bide his time after a couple of errors from the baseline but keeps the pressure on the Croatian and, on the third break point, gets his early reward. Prizmic is pushed into the backhand error into the net and Djokovic has the opening break.

Here comes the 10-time champion. Djokovic’s dramatic deportation from Australia in 2021 feels like a long time ago as the defending Australian Open champion comes out onto Rod Laver Arena for the start of his title defence. The 36-year-old remains very popular in Melbourne Park and gets a huge ovation from the crowd as he prepares to get his bid for a 25th grand slam title underway against the 18-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic.

Djokovic has won 28 matches in a row at the Australian Open and has not lost since 2018, so…. good luck Dino.

Novak Djokovic is optimistic his wrist problems are behind him as he prepares to start his bid for an 11th Australian Open title.

The world No 1 was hampered by a right wrist issue during an uncharacteristic loss to Alex de Minaur playing for Serbia at the United Cup earlier this month.

But he has been practising this week at Melbourne Park and said ahead of a first-round clash with Croatian teenager Dino Prizmic on Sunday: “My wrist is good.

“I had time from the last match against De Minaur in the United Cup to my first match here to recover. I’ve been training well. Practice sessions pain-free so far. It’s all looking good. Let’s see how it goes.”

Djokovic is no stranger to injuries in Melbourne, with an abdominal problem almost derailing him in 2021, while he played through last year’s tournament with a hamstring issue.

He still won the title on both occasions, and he said of the wrist: “It’s not as bad as some other injuries I had here – 2021 and last year I had worse injuries that I had to deal with.

“I can’t predict whether it’s going to come back. Once I start playing more matches, stress levels go higher. I don’t know. We have to find out.”

Here’s what is coming up in the opening night session of the Australian Open – with two defending champions and the returning Caroline Wozniacki highlighting the action.

Novak Djokovic vs Dino Prizmic

Aryna Sabalenka vs Ella Seidel

Magda Linette vs Caroline Wozniacki

Frances Tiafoe vs Borna Coric

Taylor Fritz vs Facundo Diaz Acosta

RELIEF for Rublev! Sealed with an ace, the World No 5 falls to his back after surviving a huge test against an inspired Thiago Seyboth Wild.

Rublev had four match points before trailing the deciding tiebreak 4-1 and 6-4… but the Russian then found a couple of big, brave forehand returns to get the job done.

He’ll hope to kick on from here… Rublev of course is still aiming for his first grand slam semi-final and NINE quarter-final appearances.

It’s 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (6) for Rublev… and he’ll be grateful for an extra day of rest after that one.