With top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz also absent through injury, it presents a huge opportunity for Djokovic, who even before that was hot favourite to win a 10th Melbourne crown.
MELBOURNE - Novak Djokovic scrapped his way into the Australian Open third round on Thursday to ramp up his bid for a 22nd Grand Slam crown, but several men's seeds crashed out.
With top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz also absent through injury, it presents a huge opportunity for Djokovic, who even before that was a hot favourite to win a 10th Melbourne crown. But Djokovic recovered his poise and fitness to beat the Frenchman 6-1, 6-7 , 6-2, 6-0 and faces 27th seed Grigor Dimitrov in round three.
Eighth seed Fritz was also on his way home after wildcard local hope Alexei Popyrin beat him 6-7 , 7-6 , 6-4, 6-7 , 6-2. Also, safely through was France's fourth seed Caroline Garcia, a 7-6 , 7-5 winner over former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez. It is a marked contrast to the start of last season when her serve completely deserted her, reducing her to tears during an Australian Open warm-up event.
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