Tennis icon John McEnroe feels Novak Djokovic’s coach Andy Murray was “starting to get a little nervous with what was going on” in the Serbian’s second round Australian Open win.

Djokovic defeated world No 125 Jaime Faria, a 21-year-old Portuguese qualifier, 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

The 10-time Australian Open winner looked to be in cruise control when leading by a set and a break at 6-1, 2-1, but he was pegged back before losing the second set on a tiebreak.

After a competitive start to the third set, Djokovic broke serve to take a 4-2 lead and was dominant thereafter as he sealed his progress to the third round.

The 37-year-old, who overcame Nishesh Basavareddy in four sets in his opening match, will next face 26th seed Tomas Machac in a tricky encounter.

Djokovic is playing his first tournament with former rival Andy Murray in his coaching box as he seeks a record-extending 25th Grand Slam crown.

McEnroe, a former world No 1, gave his assessment of Djokovic’s second round victory.

“Djokovic was extremely frustrated. He was up a set and a the break. It was cruise control,” the seven-time major singles champion told Eurosport.

“But Faria woke up and he started hitting the big ball. He’s a big boy. He’s probably six three, at least, maybe six four. He packs a punch. Andy Murray over there on the sideline, I think was starting to get a little nervous with what was going on.

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“But, you know, this is the first Grand Slam event that Faria’s ever played. So I think in the third set, the nerves and the reality of the situation started to catch up to him.

“You look at those first two matches that Djokovic has had. He played passive already in the first round. Faria today, they’re both outside the top hundred and they played some incredible tennis.

“I think at the beginning of the third set, Djokovic was frustrated purely because of the level that they’re his opponent.

“And they’re, you know, they’re playing with so much freedom because they just can go for their shots, and really with nothing to lose, that’s where, you know, now with the coaching situation, you’ve got your coach right on this side of the court.

“You can, you know, have a little bit of a conversation. And perhaps he extended some of the rallies, stayed in cross court. And that early part of the third, I think was hugely important. And once Djokovic got the third set, then he was kind of able to to run away with it.”

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