No free ticket for “Djoker”

Novak Djokovic, record champion at the Australian Open with eleven tennis titles, escaped with a black eye. The only 18-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic (No. 178) demanded everything from the world number one, twice his age, and only had to defeat after a hard-fought four hours with 2:6, 7:6 (5), 3:6, beaten 4:6.

The “Djoker”, who was down 2-3 with a break in the third set, did not spare himself with hymns of praise for the youngster in front of Andre Agassi and in the on-court interview with Jim Courier: “Dino deserves every applause, he is “An exceptional player for his age. He’s going to do some big things in his career,” said the Serbian superstar, who breathed a sigh of relief: “This match was so close, Dino really gave me a run for my money.”

The first step on the way to the 25th Grand Slam title, with which Djokovic would surpass the Australian Margaret Court (24), has been taken. The exceptional talent looks pretty fit, and there are no signs of the wrist problems that bothered him in the United Cup. “Now I have a few days break to attack again,” said Djokovic.

Big stages for Thiem & Ofner

Things will get serious for Dominic Thiem on Monday. Servus TV will broadcast the floodlit spectacle against Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime from 10:15 a.m. The duo is sure to have a big stage. The venue will be the third largest venue in Melbourne – the Margaret Court Arena, which has space for 7,500 visitors.

The backdrop will be even more impressive on Tuesday (6 a.m., Hello TV) for Austria’s number one, Sebastian Ofner. The Styrian will face Australian local hero Thanasi Kokkinakis in the 10,300-fan John Cain Arena. This will be a real away match.

Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, recently boosted his self-confidence with a clear 6:3, 6:3 win over Francisco Cerundolo (Arg). “I had good preparation and am free of physical complaints. I feel fit,” emphasized the 30-year-old Lichtenwörther, who narrowly missed out on a Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park at the beginning of 2020. At that time he had led 2-1 in sets in the final against Djokovic.

Thiem is currently ranked 94th in the world and has no points to defend at the Australian Open. Last year, the winner of 17 ATP tournaments Andrej Rublev (Rus) lost 3:6, 4:6, 2:6. Will things be better tomorrow?

Top tennis in Linz

Also Sandra Reichel, the tournament director of the Upper Austria Ladies, which begins on January 28th at the Linz Design Center, is looking ahead to the Australian Open. One or two well-known commitments for the event, which has been promoted to the 500 category, is certainly possible. The starting field is already impressive. At the top is the reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova (Cze/WTA No. 7), also “comeback queen” and mom Elina Svitolina (Ukr/No. 23) will give Upper Austria the honor. Not to mention a crowd favorite Donna Vekic (Cro/No. 25) or the two former Linz triumphs Camila Giorgi (Ita/No. 53) and Anastasia Potapova (Rus/No. 29). The latter is the defending champion.

Ticket information is available at ladieslinz.at and oeticket.com