Italy’s Jannik Sinner plays a forehand against Chile’s Nicolas Jarry in the men’s singles first round match on day 2 of the Australian Open 2025 tennis championship in Melbourne on January 13, 2025.
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Jannik Sinner launched his Australian Open title defence with a battling straight-sets win on Monday (January 13, 2025) as Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff also powered into round two.
Novak Djokovic begins his bid for Grand Slam history later on a blockbuster second day which also sees Carlos Alcaraz in action in Melbourne.
But former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas became the first big casualty as he was stunned by American Alex Michelsen, ranked 42 in the world.
Italian world number one Sinner is playing under a cloud after twice testing positive for traces of a steroid in March.
He denies wrongdoing and was cleared by tennis authorities, but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed and is seeking to ban him for up to two years.
Sinner was warmly welcomed on Rod Laver Arena before defeating Chile’s Nicolas Jarry 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5), 6-1.
“Today it was a close one because in the first sets it could have gone both ways,” said Sinner, who has not tasted defeat since losing to Alcaraz in the Beijing final in October.
Coco Gauff sails into second round
Coco Gauff had a little difficulty adjusting to the sun at one end of Rod Laver Arena and dropped an early service game but quickly settled into a rhythm to start her Australian Open a 6-3, 6-3 win Monday over 2020 champion Sofia Kenin.
U.S.’ Coco Gauff plays a forehand against her countrywoman in the Women’s Singles first round match on day two of the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne on January 13, 2025.
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Third-seeded Gauff won the title at the WTA Finals last November and started this season by helping the U.S. to victory at the United Cup last week, a run that gives her a chance to move atop the rankings.
The 2023 U.S. Open champion is wearing a Marvel-inspired bodysuit and skirt at Melbourne Park and she’s radiating confidence and calm.
“I knew going in it was going to be difficult, but you know I’m happy with how I played,” she said of the 1-hour, 20-minute win over Kenin, who at No. 81 is a much tougher opponent than her ranking suggests.
“I mean (I) could serve better, but like on that side I was struggling to see the ball,” Guaff said, pointing to one baseline on the main show court that was bathed in sun. “So I’m just happy that I was able to manage through that.”
Gauff went into her opening round on a streak of winning 33 matches against players ranked outside the Top 50, dating to a loss to Kenin at Wimbledon 2023.
It was tough going early, with Gauff converting an early break before Kenin got back on serve at 2-2, hitting deep ground strokes and getting good bounce off the hard court.
But Gauff, who had five aces and four double-faults in her first two service games, lifted her tempo, started taking the ball earlier and won four of the next five games. She finished the match with 12 aces and nine double-faults, and saved seven of the eight breakpoints she faced. She also had 28 winners, including two rifling backhands on key points in the second set, and 13 unforced errors.
The draw presented another tough trip to Australia for Kenin. It was the third straight year Kenin faced a Grand Slam champion in the first round in Australia, and her fourth consecutive first-round exit here.
Guaff will next play Jodie Burrage of Britain. Also advancing from early matches were No. 12 Diana Shnaider and No. 25 Liudmila Samsonova.
After a stop-start Day 1 on Sunday, including more than six hours of rain, Monday’s packed program also includes matches for 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, defending champion Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz.
Unconvincing win for Iga Swiatek
World number two Iga Swiatek advanced to the second round of the Australian Open with an unconvincing 6-3 6-4 win against first-time opponent Katerina Siniakova on John Cain Arena.
Swiatek struggled to find the deliberate rhythm that has helped win her five Grand Slam titles as her Czech opponent, a doubles specialist, put up some stiff resistance.
“For sure it wasn’t an easy first round so I’m happy I got through,” said the 23-year-old Pole.
Poland’s Iga Swiatek in action during the first round of the women’s singles at the Australian Open 2025 tennis championship in Melbourne on January 13, 2025.
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“I felt like she was playing really well and I knew I needed to be more proactive and I was that way (in the end).”
Her hesitant win against the 50th-ranked Siniakova was nonetheless popular with the many Polish fans who always provide her with strong support in Melbourne.
Swiatek, who served a one-month doping ban around the WTA Finals last November, thanked the fans on court before revealing that she listened to hard rock before coming out for her match.
Swiatek could go back to the top of the world rankings if there are early exits for Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff but the priority for the Pole would surely be to add a first Australian Open title to her four French Open and single U.S. Open crowns.
Swiatek, whose best performance on the Australian Open’s hardcourts was a semi-final loss to American Danielle Collins in 2022, will play Rebecca Sramkova of Slovakia in the second round.
Published – January 13, 2025 09:07 am IST
