The previous Stanford College standout Nishesh Basavareddy debuted at Majors at Rod Laver Area in opposition to Novak Djokovic! The 19-year-old American of Indian origin confirmed his A-game for a set and a half earlier than dropping 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
Novak ousted a teen in two hours and 59 minutes, overcoming a shaky begin and transferring into the second spherical in Melbourne for the 189th straight time. The best participant of all time felt impressed by the newcomer.
Djokovic praised Basavareddy and admitted he was the higher participant for a set and a half. Nishesh earned Novak’s admiration for the standard of his strokes and excellent preventing spirit after by no means giving up. The best participant of all time wished the younger gun all the perfect sooner or later.
Novak Djokovic with nothing however respect and reward for his younger opponent.
Class act all the way in which. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/oCIzfqk2aj
— Danny 🐊 (@DjokovicFan_) January 13, 2025
Nishesh ended his School profession final Might and made a superb transition to Challengers. A teen claimed two titles from six finals, passing 320 rivals on the ATP rating listing. He additionally conquered the USTA Australian Open Wild Card Problem and punched the Melbourne ticket.
As a reward, Basavareddy performed his first Main match in opposition to essentially the most achieved participant of all time. Did he present concern? No manner! The 19-year-old outplayed the ten-time champion within the first set and stayed in contact till the second a part of the second.
Nishesh Basavareddy, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Djokovic fired 23 aces and dropped 25 factors in his video games. The legend confronted solely three break factors and obtained damaged as soon as within the opener. He stored the stress on his rival for the remainder of the conflict and broke his resistance.
Basavareddy sprayed eight double faults and dropped serve 4 instances from 11 probabilities supplied to the 24-time Main champion. Novak tamed his strokes properly and landed 51 winners and 41 unforced errors, outplaying Nishesh’s 32-42 ratio.
The Serb had the higher hand within the shortest and most superior exchanges, whereas the American fought properly within the mid-range ones and stayed in contact. A teen skilled cramps within the second set. He endured them and fought properly within the third earlier than dropping floor within the fourth.
Nishesh Basavareddy & Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Nishesh made a dream begin, outplaying Novak within the first set. A teen hit properly from each wings and secured a break that made the distinction. Djokovic missed a break probability in three video games and paid the worth at 3-3.
The American cracked a return winner for a break at 15 and a lead. Basavareddy survived a break level in sport eight for 5-3 and served for the set at 5-4. The younger gun saved one other break level and wrapped up the opener 6-4 in 49 minutes.
Novak raised his degree within the second set and managed the scoreboard. His rival struggled bodily and saved two break factors within the fourth sport. The Serb lastly clinched a break within the eighth sport after the American’s forehand error, transferring 5-3 up.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Djokovic closed the set with a maintain at 15 in sport 9, touchdown a service winner for 6-3 and leveling the general rating after an hour and 34 minutes. Novak served properly within the third set and challenged the younger gun to observe that tempo.
Nishesh hit a double fault within the first sport and suffered a break. Djokovic wanted no second invitation to clinch the set from there. The legend held at 30 at 5-4, transferring two units to 1 in entrance after two hours and 16 minutes.
Novak drew the rival’s mistake within the first sport of the fourth set for a break at 15, transferring nearer to the end line. The Serb saved a break level within the fourth sport and closed it with a service winner for 3-1 earlier than making one other push on the return within the subsequent one.
Nishesh Basavareddy, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Basavareddy wasted a 40-0 lead and performed a free volley to fall 4-1 behind. The American struggled once more at 1-5 whereas serving to remain within the match. He introduced his preventing spirit and defended two match factors earlier than holding for 2-5.
Djokovic served for the win in sport eight and seized the second match level together with his twenty third ace, transferring into the second spherical in type.
“I think Nishesh was the better player for a set and a half. He deserves every bit of applause he got when leaving the court. Honestly, I saw him play for the first time three or four days ago, not knowing much about his game.
These match-ups are always tricky and dangerous as your rival has nothing to lose. Nishesh is a very complete player. He pleasantly surprised me with his shots and fighting spirit towards the end of the duel. I wish him all the best for the rest of his career,” Novak Djokovic mentioned.
