Djokovic survives wobble to launch bid for record 25th Slam crown

Melbourne: Novak Djokovic survived a first set scare on Monday to begin his quest for an 11th Australian Open title and record 25th Grand Slam crown i...

Melbourne: Novak Djokovic survived a first-set scare on Monday to begin his quest for an 11th Australian Open title and record 25th Grand Slam crown in shaky fashion.

The 37-year-old was flat-footed and out of ideas early on against teenage American wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy, who was making his Grand Slam main draw debut.

The 19-year-old stunned Djokovic by winning the first set in front of a shocked Melbourne Park crowd.

But the Serbian slowly began to get his measure, battling through 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 with new coach Andy Murray sitting quietly courtside on Rod Laver Arena in one of the newly introduced "coaching pods".

The win put Djokovic into the second round in Melbourne for an 18th consecutive year.