Djokovic vs Couacaud Highlights: Australian Open 2023 – Novak Djokovic extended his win streak at the Australian Open as he clinched a four-set victory against Enzo Couacaud in the second round of the tournament on Thursday, 19th January 2023. The Serbian lost the second set, and despite battling a hamstring niggle, he bounced back to win the next two sets in the contest to register a 6-1, 6-7, 6-2, 6-0 victory. Follow Australian Open 2023 LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
Djokovic vs Couacaud Highlights: Novak Djokovic extends win streak in Australian Open, defeats Enzo Couacaud in four sets in second round – Watch Highlights
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“There was a lot happening in the match,” Djokovic said on court afterward. “He played some great tennis, especially in the second set. We both had some medical timeouts and struggled a little bit. But I managed to respond well in the third and fourth. I love playing night sessions. Let’s keep it going.””
The Serbian is chasing a record-tying 22nd Grand Slam trophy this fortnight and will reclaim No. 1 in the ATP Rankings if he wins the title. The 35-year-old will keep his focus directly in front of him, though, with former World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov looming in the third round.
There were moments in the match against Couacaud when advancing did not seem a sure thing. As the second set wore on, Djokovic became more hampered by his left hamstring injury. Playing with heavy strapping, the fourth seed winced after stretching for a ball at 4-4, calling for a medical timeout when trailing 4-5.
His movement was clearly compromised and Couacaud took full advantage, swinging freely and embracing the crowd at Melbourne Park. When Djokovic let slip the second set in a tie-break, it was unclear how his body would react for the rest of the match. But the Serbian never panicked. Instead, he locked in and improved physically, winning 12 of the match’s final 14 games.
