Day 4 preview: New experiences for Novak

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray begin discussions on the same court for the second time on Wednesday after passing their first test together at the start of their budding partnership.

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The debut of the new player-coach tandem was not without its hairy moments early on at Rod Laver Arena on Monday night after the 10-time champion at Melbourne Park took a set to hit his straps against the 19-year-old American wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy.

After a scare and a healthy dose of strategic chit-chat, the 37-year-old fighter and his 37-year-old coach were able to focus on another unlikely first-time challenger, Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria.

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As with any new relationship, Djokovic admitted the pair had a lot to learn as they hadn’t spent much time together as teammates.

“We’re still in that kind of first phase of getting to know each other,” Djokovic said after the 4-6 6-3 6-4 6-2 win. “This was the first match we had together … He gave me his feedback, his guidance and his opinion. That’s important. I enjoy talking to Andy. I mean, he knows tennis as well as anybody out there .”

The seventh seed has never crossed paths with the 21-year-old from Lisbon, a 125th-ranked qualifier in his Grand Slam debut.

It was time for the next RLA test of the Djokovic-Murray alliance, and a chance to iron out further form issues in the one-day session clash.

“I don’t have to explain much,” Djokovic said. “He gets everything I go through. In those moments on the court it’s a big fight. Of course he wants me to show the energy, show the fist pump and everything to get myself going… It’s different in official matches, center courts, night sessions.

“The court where we have faced each other on the opposite side of the net quite a few times actually … That’s why it was a bit strange to see it and experience it.”

Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka opens proceedings at the RLA as she looks to claim her 16th straight Grand Slam win on Wednesday.

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After dancing her way past former US Open champion Sloane Stephens with little difficulty at the first hurdle, the top seed battles the 54. Jessica Bouzas Maneiro for the first time.

The 22-year-old Spaniard is in form when it comes to dethroning the incumbent after she sent Marketa Vondrousova packing in the first round at Wimbledon last year.

Unlike Djokovic, Sabalenka wasn’t about to rely on the coach’s on-court pod for support.

“I like to see the whole team. Even if I don’t look at every person in my box, I always look at my coach, but I still see everyone. For me, it’s important … Four places is not enough,” she laughed.

“If they wanted to reach eight places, I don’t know how, but it would be much better for me. So we decided to put everyone in the box. Maybe they were a little tight there and not comfortable, but I was comfortable seeing them all together.”

Sabalenka’s potential semifinal upset, third seed Coco Gauffopens the RLA night session against Great Britain’s Jodie Burragean opponent she conceded just two games against when they met on grass in Eastbourne last year.

Gauff’s recent run of form extended to 19 wins from her last 21 matches after she comfortably handled Australian Open 2020 champion Sofia Kenin in the opening round.

“She’s one of those people, she can play great tennis,” Gauff said of Kenin. “She’s obviously won this tournament before, but I just think of the positives in that if you get through that, you kind of set the tone to have a high level throughout the tournament.”