Novak Djokovic vs Alexei Popyrin LIVE: Australian Open 2024 latest scores and results after Ons Jabeur stunned by Mirra Andreeva

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-6 2-3 Alexei Popyrin

Oh no… Popyrin has called the trainer and is getting treatment on his left calf…

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-6 2-3 Alexei Popyrin

There’s a smile back on Djokovic’s face as he wins the exchange at the net to bring up a pressure point against the Popyrin serve on 15-30.

But then an unusual backhand error from Djokovic – followed by an even stranger forehand error from the World No 1! That was nowhere near.

Forehand winner smashed down the line from Popyrin! Test passed.

Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-6 2-2 Alexei Popyrin*

Djokovic is blowing his nose into a tissue at the change of ends and is moving his wrist.

He looks well below 100% – despite making a decent start to this match.

Djokovic steadies with a love-hold, though.

A reminder that Djokovic has not lost in this tournament since 2018.

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-6 1-2 Alexei Popyrin

Absolutely stunning from Popyrin! Outstanding defence from the Aussie as he reaches a Djokovic smash and then turns defence into attack before putting away a wonderful drop shot.

It’s followed by a forehand winner to get to 30-0…

… and then the point of the match from Popyrin! This is inspired stuff now! In a 25-shot rally, he trades blows with Djokovic before lobbing the 10-time champion! Brilliant!

And then the powerful serve out wide! Popyrin has the Rod Laver Arena rocking!

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-6 0-1 Alexei Popyrin

Djokovic has changed his shirt and now needs a change of approach against the Aussie. Djokovic still seems strangely subdued. He spoke after his first-round win that he was “under the weather” and illness could be affecting him again today.

Popyrin faces a pressure point on 30-30 but finds an ace. Popyrin has found his forehand strike too and Djokovic chucks another forehand long!

Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-6 Alexei Popyrin* – Popyrin wins second set!

But now it’s tight from Djokovic! Popyrin gets a big helping hand with the net cord on 15-15, but then Djokovic nets on the forehand to bring up two set points.

Ace from Djokovic! One more chance for Popyrin.

And he gets it with the drop shot – lob combo!

Stunning from Popyrin, and the Rod Laver erupts as his backhand lob drops inside the baseline!

Popyrin takes the second set!

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 4-5 Alexei Popyrin – Djokovic breaks!

A double fault on the opening point is not the assured start Popyrin wanted – and Djokovic ramps up the pressure with much better depth to the baseline. Popyrin nets and it’s 0-30.

Still no first serve… and a tight point from Popyrin, who puts his forehand into the net from the baseline.

Three break points: Popyrin finds his first serve at last and puts away the overhead. And then an ace out from Popyrin!

One more to save: but that’s another tight shot from the baseline as Popyrin chucks a forehand long.

Djokovic stays alive in the set and finds the crucial break back.

Novak Djokovic 6-3 3-5 Alexei Popyrin*

Djokovic also lost the second set in his opening round win against Dino Prizmic, but his level did not drop to the level that is has here. The champion is strangely flat but manages to negotiate 30-30 to hold and force Popyrin to serve it out.

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 2-5 Alexei Popyrin

Excellent from Popyrin, who attacks Djokovic to put away the overhead and forehand winners on his way to wrapping up a love-hold with an ace.

Popyrin is cruising through these service games against the best returner of all time.

The Aussie moves a game away from levelling the match.

*Novak Djokovic 6-3 1-4 Alexei Popyrin

Popyrin holds to love with an ace to consolidate the break! Much better from the Australian, who has found some belief now. Curiously, the forehand errors from Djokovic are racking up in this set.