Djokovic, who may obtain a report twenty fifth Grand Slam singles title this month, later stated he had felt “below the climate”.
Whereas the Serb will face Alexei Popyrin or Marc Polmans within the second spherical, Prizmic – topped French Open boys’ champion final 12 months – has a vibrant future forward on the proof of his breakthrough efficiency on Rod Laver Area.
Sunday’s match surpassed Djokovic’s earlier longest within the first spherical of a significant, which was a three-hour-57-minute encounter in opposition to Gael Monfils on the US Open in 2005.
Few may have anticipated the absorbing tussle which might develop after Djokovic took an easy first set.
However Prizmic hinted at what was to return when he broke Djokovic for the primary time for a 3-1 lead within the second, earlier than holding his nerve within the tie-break together with his fourth set level.
That arrange a rollercoaster third set, which Djokovic claimed by successful 4 successive video games – however solely after Prizmic had battled again with a double break from 2-0 down.
And even because the end result began appearing a formality within the fourth set when Djokovic continued his run of video games for a 4-0 lead, his teenage opponent refused to go quietly, breaking again earlier than saving 4 match factors within the ninth sport to drive the highest seed to serve out victory.
“He deserves all of the applause. He’s a tremendous participant, he dealt with himself extremely nicely on the court docket. That is his second,” Djokovic stated.
“It may simply have been his match as nicely. He confirmed nice mentality and resilience.
“I definitely wish to be in his nook. So hopefully he’ll invite me, as a result of he’ll make some massive issues in his profession that is for positive.”