SOUND OF VICTORY:Novak Djokovic beats qualifier Dino Prizmic in his longest first-round match

Defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic won his longest first-round Grand Slam match after being tested by qualifier Dino Prizmic.

The Serb, chasing a record-extending 11th men’s title, needed four hours and one minute to beat the 18-year-old Croat 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-4.

Prizmic, playing in his first Grand Slam match, saved six match points before Djokovic secured victory.

“He gave me a run for my money,” Djokovic said in an on-court interview.

The 36-year-old, who is aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, will face Alexei Popyrin or Marc Polmans in the second round.

READ MORE:Novak Djokovic next match: Defending champion’s schedule doctor diagnosed his injury to be in a state of..

In rallies which echoed those in matches between Djokovic and world number two Carlos Alcaraz, world number 178 Prizmic sprinted and stretched all over the court to excite the Melbourne night-session crowd.

The match surpassed Djokovic’s previous longest in the first round of a major, which was a three-hour-57-minute encounter against Gael Monfils at the US Open in 2005.

“He deserves all the applause. He is an amazing player, he handled himself incredibly well on the court. This is his moment,” Djokovic said.

“It could easily have been his match as well. He showed great mentality and resilience