Australian Open: Djokovic wins at almost 40 degrees

Record winner Novak Djokovic (30) has made it into the third round of the Australian Open after a difficult start.

The six-time champion from Serbia won in the afternoon heat of Melbourne after 2:45 hours against the Frenchman Gael Monfils 4:6,6:3,6:1,6:3. The thermometer showed 39.7 degrees during the game, with both players visibly suffering from temperatures.

The “Djoker” delivered three of his four first serve games – and thus also the first set. In sets two to four, the Serb proved to be much more confident, especially Monfils in the Rod Laver Arena glow furnace, but also had great problems with the external circumstances with increasing playing time.

Djokovic will now face Albert Ramos-Vinolas (Spain/No. 21), and the German number one Alexander Zverev (Hamburg/No. 4) could wait in the round of sixteen.