World no. 1 Novak Djokovic faces American rising star Ryan Harrison in what should be an entertaining Australian Open second round clash on Rod Laver Arena. Join us for live scores and commentary from 9:00pm AEDT.
Djokovic was impressive in his opening victory over Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu and will be favoured to continue on his winning ways tonight.
The reigning Australian Open champion might not get it all his own way though when he faces one of the ATP’s rising stars in Harrison.
Harrison took a set off Andy Murray in the Australian Open last year and has the weapons to make life difficult for Djokovic.
Although he has yet to take a set off Djokovic in two meetings, the American did impress when he played the Serb in Wimbledon last year before succumbing in three tight sets.
Prediction
Harrison’s game is all about going on the offensive. He possesses a big serve and forehand shot that can do great damage when on song.
Like all young players however, Harrison does struggle with consistency and can fall away pretty quickly when things don’t go his way.
Compounding Harrison’s problem will be the fact that he faces arguably the most consistent and intense player on the ATP tour in Djokovic.
The five time Grand Slam winner is the best returner in the men’s game and his court coverage remains rivalled only by tennis superstars Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.
Djokovic’s double handed backhand and forehand shots are also match winners in their own right, so Harrison really has it all to do tonight against the most complete player on tour.
With nothing to lose tonight, Harrison must be aggressive against Djokovic to have any chance of taking a set off the Serb, let alone producing a monumental upset.
The American certainly has the talent to cause Djokovic a few problems tonight but the machine like precision and movement from the world no.1 should prove too tough to overcome for Harrison.
Djokovic in three sets.
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic far too strong for Harrison tonight who has the world ahead of him. Djokovic's shotmaking was superb tonight and his return game was brilliant at times as Harrison served up some bombs throughout the match. Djokovic Looking good for another strong title defence at the Aus Open. Can he be defeated down under? Thanks for joining us tonight and join us tomorrow for more live blogging action on The Roar Djokovic 6 6 6 Harrison 1 2 3
Alan
Roar Guru
GAME SET AND MATCH DJOKOVIC - Djokovic once again dictating play with the forehand and its another match point for the Serb. Djokovic with another forehand winner and he finishes the match the way he started. By playing awesome tennis! Djokovic 6 6 6 Harrison 1 2 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Harrison just wide with the forehand down the line and its match point Djokovic... Harrison though stays alive and its deuce as Djokovic nets the backhand return Djokovic 6 6 5 Harrison 1 2 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic with another monstrous backhand crosscourt shot and its 30-15 Harrison. Djokovic repeats the backhand masterclass and its 30 all Djokovic 6 6 5 Harrison 1 2 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic just misses the line with the backhand and its 30-0 Harrison Djokovic 6 6 5 Harrison 1 2 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic with another masterful crosscourt forehand winner and he holds and is one game away from a place in the third round. Djokovic 6 6 5 Harrison 1 2 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic too good with the backhand and he finishes the point with an easy volley. 15-0. Djokovic once again sets up the point with a forehand and finishes with an easy volley for 30 love Djokovic 6 6 4 Harrison 1 2 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Harrison with a strong backhand that Djokovic cannot return into play and its game point yet again for the American. Djokovic nets another forehand and Harrison holds very well under pressure. Good stuff. Djokovic 6 6 4 Harrison 1 2 3
Alan
Roar Guru
Harrison with another game point courtesy of another strong wide serve and forehand combination. Djokovic masterful with the forehand and volley at the net and its deuce yet again Djokovic 6 6 4 Harrison 1 2 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Harrison with another fast wide serve and its game point for the American. He has yet to win three games in a set tonight. On the verge of doing it here but Djokovic responds with another backhand winner. Too good. Deuce Djokovic 6 6 4 Harrison 1 2 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Now its Djokovic with a break point as Harrison's forehand sails long. Djokovic eager to break yet again and serve for the match. Harrison though responds with another wide serve at 207km/h. Deuce Djokovic 6 6 4 Harrison 1 2 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic's crushing forehand goes just long and its game point for Harrison. Double fault though and its deuce. Djokovic 6 6 4 Harrison 1 2 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Harrison probably enjoying his best passage of the match here as he has another game point. Great return though from Djokovic and its back to deuce Djokovic 6 6 4 Harrison 1 2 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Harrison's slice hits the net and its deuce. Djokovic 6 6 4 Harrison 1 2 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic's return just goes long and its 30-15. Djokovic with a framed forehand and its two game points for the American Djokovic 6 6 4 Harrison 1 2 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Harrison playing well here as he sends a backhand winner through Djokovic here. Good stuff and its 15-0. Serve and volley combination though fails again and its 15 all Djokovic 6 6 4 Harrison 1 2 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic with another wide serve and forehand combination and he holds well. Djokovic 6 6 4 Harrison 1 2 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic too good with the forehand yet again and he finishes the point with a forehand smash. 30-15. Harrison's return goes long and its game point Djokovic 6 6 3 Harrison 1 2 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic too strong with the forehand and volley and its 15 love. Its been a perfect performance thus far from the Serb who has hardly raised a sweat on serve. Harrison though responds with w ripping forehand winner and its 15 all. Great strike. Gave Djokovic a taste of his own medicine there. Djokovic 6 6 3 Harrison 1 2 2
Alan
Roar Guru
Djokovic long with the forehand and its game point for the American who serves and volley's well. He holds and its 3-2 third set. Djokovic 6 6 3 Harrison 1 2 2