Australian Open: Novak Djokovic fights to overcome American teen challenge

Australian Open king-pin Novak Djokovic has made himself at home on Rod Laver Arena but not before American teenager Nishesh Basavareddy turned up like an unwanted guest.

Djokovic was given an early shock by the 19-year-old wildcard, who was making his grand slam debut, before the 10-time champion settled in for a 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory.

The super Serb admitted his young rival was the better player in the early exchanges.

“The end was great but he was the better player for a set and a half and deserves every bit of applause he got,” Djokovic said in an on-court interview.

“I’d never seen him play until three or four days ago and I didn’t know much about him but he’s a very capable player and surprised me with all of his shots.”

Most fans at Melbourne Park on on Monday night were expecting the world No.7 to romp through the match but the Californian kid decided to do things his way.

Basavareddy broke Djokovic to take a 4-3 lead in the first set, then wrapped it up inside 50 minutes.

The last time Djokovic lost a first set at the Australian Open was in 2006 to Paul Goldstein.

With his new coach, former rival Andy Murray, sitting courtside, the 37-year-old let out a mighty roar when he finally broke his young rival to take a 5-3 lead in the second set, wresting back control of the match.

Basavareddy, the former Stanford college student who only turned professional late last year and has had a meteoric rise up the rankings to world No.107, needed treatment between sets after suffering leg cramps.

But he continued to play without fear, pushing Djokovic to make unforced errors which tallied an uncharacteristic 41 by the end of the match.

Making the second round of the Open for the 18th consecutive year, Djokovic is bidding to win his 25th grand slam title and claim sole ownership of the record for most singles major titles, ahead of Australian great Margaret Court.

Djokovic will next face Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria.