Novak Djokovic battles past Frances Tiafoe to reach last 32 in Melbourne

The eight-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic grabbed his 77th victory in Melbourne following a challenging 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 triumph over Frances Tiafoe in three and a half hours.

The defending champion fired 26 aces and dropped serve twice, controlling his strokes nicely and earning five breaks that carried him home. Frances gave his best to challenge the mighty opponent in sets two and three, unable to keep the same pace in the first and fourth and hitting the exit door despite a great effort. Djokovic used the fast court to fire 56 winners and 37 unforced errors, rising to the challenge and finishing the job without spending more time on the court.

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Novak earned a break in game two and survived the next game to move 3-0 ahead. Frances pulled the break back at love at 3-4, only to lose the next two games and hand the opener to Djokovic. The second set lasted for over an hour, as Tiafoe found the way to stay on level terms with the world's best player. The American saved three break points in the third game and reached the tie break where he forced Djokovic's error at 6-3 to claim the set and gain momentum.

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The rivals battled even harder in set number three despite an early 3-0 lead for Novak. The American bounced back in game five and saved two set points at 4-5 to set another tie break. Djokovic clinched it 7-2 with a forehand winner, opening two sets to one lead after two hours and 44 minutes and moving over the top with a double break in set number four.

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