Australian Open: 19-year-old Indian-origin Nishesh Basavareddy ...

Novak Djokovic vs Nishesh Basavareddy Australian Open 2025: After a strong start in his first round opener, Nishesh Basavareddy fell to a 6-4 3-6 4-6 2-6 defeat against Novak Djokovic. The Serbian wrapped up proceedings with ease in the fourth set to qualify for the next round. The Paris 2024 gold medallist won the third set 6-4 to take a 2-1 lead. It was total dominance from the World No. 7 as he sealed the second set 6-3 to level proceedings.

His opponent also suffered limping and lost momentum after the second set.

After losing the first set, Djokovic raised his game in the second, but the 19-year-old India-origin American ace fought back and at one point the second set stood at 3-3. But then tiredness and fatigue got to him, gifting Djokovic a 6-3 win in the second set.

The American youngster shocked Djokovic in the first set, clinching it 6-4 in their first round showdown, at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Monday. The Serbian ace looked out-of-sorts in the first set, and the American capitalised on it. But Djokovic has found his footing in the second set against America's rising tennis sensation.

Basavareddy got a wildcard entry in Melbourne, and a victory will be massive for the youngster. Djokovic is aiming to make a comeback, as he chases a record-extending 11th title in Melbourne, a record-breaking 25th career Major overall.

Basavareddy’s parents are from Andhra Pradesh to San Francisco in 1999. He was born in California, and he was trained at Bryan Smith’s coaching camp, and Rajeev Ram is his mentor. At the junior level, he has a career-high ranking of no. 3. Basavareddy hasn’t played a full ATP Tour season yet, and turned pro last year after qualifying for the Next Gen ATP Finals. He reached his first-ever competitive final at the Fairfield Challenger in 2023, and also lost in the finals in 2024 at the Challenger events in Fairfield and Charleston.

He won his maiden Challenger-level title in California in October, and also was runner-up at two more Challenger events. He then got his second trophy in Puerto Vallarta. Recently, he lost to Gael Monfils at the semi-finals of ASB Classic.