11 years later, Djokovic tops Tsonga again in Australia

All these years later, although with much less on the line, Novak Djokovic again got the better of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Australian Open.

The No. 1-seeded Djokovic beat Tsonga 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in the second round at Melbourne Park in a rematch of their 2008 final. This one started Thursday night and wrapped up after 12:30 a.m. on Friday.

"Certainly you could feel tension on the court from the beginning. I think we were both going through a lot of emotions," Djokovic said during an on-court interview.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic makes a backhand return to France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. (AP PhotoAaron Favila)

Asked to elaborate on that sentiment at his news conference, Djokovic said: "Knowing the history ... I had with him, I guess that's what brought even more ... weight on this encounter tonight. I did feel a bit more nervy than I usually do."

Eleven years ago, Djokovic's victory over Tsonga gave the Serb the first of his 14 Grand Slam titles, a total that is tied with Pete Sampras for third most by a man, trailing only Roger Federer's 20 and Rafael Nadal's 17.

Djokovic is back at No. 1 in the ATP rankings and has won the past two major championships, at Wimbledon in July and the U.S. Open in September, after dropping out of the top 20 last season following surgery to repair his right elbow.

Serbias Novak Djokovic falls during his second round match against France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. (AP PhotoMark Schiefelbein)

He was asked whether he was surprised to return to the top of the game.

"Not really, but, I mean, I have to be honest. I always believe in myself and I think that's an emotion that is always dominant," Djokovic said. "But on the other hand, I am pleasantly surprised with how quickly I got (back) to No. 1."

Tsonga, meanwhile, has never made it back to a major final.

Canada's Denis Shapovalov reacts after winning a point against Japan's Taro Daniel during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)

The 33-year-old Frenchman needed a wild-card entry to get into this year's field in Australia because his ranking is only 177th. He missed most of last season after having surgery on his left knee in April.

"It's always tough playing with Jo," Djokovic said. "Ranking doesn't do justice to him at the moment. He's always been a top player."

As he pursues a men's-record seventh Australian Open title — Federer also is bidding for that number in Melbourne — Djokovic will face 25th-seeded Denis Shapovalov for a spot in the fourth round.

Shapovalov, a 19-year-old left-hander from Canada, beat Taro Daniel 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3 on Thursday.

"Lots of respect for him, especially for his professionalism ... at such a young age," Djokovic said about Shapovalov. "He's mature mentally."

Shapovalov, who described facing Djokovic at a major tournament as "a dream come true to me," is one of 10 men under age 23 into the third round, the most at the Australian Open since there were 11 in 2004.

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MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Blowing late leads has become a hallmark of Manchester United's season.

Erik ten Hag hopes that changes when Liverpool comes to Old Trafford on Sunday. United is still clinging to hopes of a Champions League spot, despite a stunning 4-3 loss to Chelsea on Thursday night.

United first gave away the lead in the 10th minute of stoppage time at Stamford Bridge and then the game a minute later — both goals coming from Cole Palmer.

That followed a blown lead in a 1-1 draw at Brentford last Saturday. United had just recovered from celebrating Mason Mount's goal in the 96th when Kristoffer Ajer tied it three minutes later.

“We can beat the best teams in the Premier League,” Ten Hag said. “When you beat them in the Premier League, you can do it across Europe, but we need to learn how you win games ... how you bring games over the line and get the three points. We have to step up."

Dropping five points in the past two games is “very expensive,” he added.

“Games are running out. We know that and we have to catch up and we are now many points behind,” Ten Hag said. “It will be difficult. We will keep fighting.”

With eight games remaining, United is nine points behind fifth-place Tottenham and 11 points back of fourth-place Aston Villa. Because of a format change to the Champions League next season, the Premier League might get a fifth spot in Europe's elite club competition.

Blowing leads is not a new problem.

United exited the Champions League at the group stage — in last place. They gave away second-half leads in three of those games: a 3-2 home loss to Galatasaray; a 4-3 defeat at Copenhagen; and a 3-3 draw at Galatasaray.

The good news? United has actually closed out a big win recently — over Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling FA Cup quarterfinal match. Marcus Rashford tied it at 3-3 before Amad Diallo's winner at Old Trafford.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp pointed to uncharacteristic errors that they'll need to avoid this time.

“We were really good that day but didn’t finish the situations off in extra time,” Klopp said. “We made mistakes we didn’t make before at all. We better play a really good football game to be honest, if we want something there.”

First-place Liverpool holds a two-point lead over Arsenal heading into the weekend.

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Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag gives instructions from the side line during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Manchester United players react after referee award a penalty to Chelsea during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London, Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)