 |
| American 15-year-old Coco Gauff proved last year’s victory over Venus Williams at Wimbledon was no fluke when she beat the seven-time Grand Slam champion again to reach the Australian Open second round |
Highlights of the first day at the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, on Monday (times AEST; GMT+11):
1809 DIMITROV BLASTS PAST LONDERO AFTER SLOW START
Grigor Dimitrov surrendered the opening set but rediscovered his best form as he sent down 17 aces and 47 winners to overcome Argentine Juan Ignacio Londero 4-6 6-2 6-0 6-4.
Action on two of the three main showcourts will resume in the evening session. Play on the outer courts will not begin before 6.30 p.m. local time following heavy rain, organisers said.
1747 VENUS FALLS TO 15-YEAR-OLD GAUFF AGAIN
Teenager Coco Gauff, who stunned fellow American Venus Williams in the first round of Wimbledon last year, produced another superb performance to beat the 39-year-old seven-times Grand Slam winner 7-6(5) 6-3.
โI was really nervous for todayโs match. I was shocked when I saw the draw,โ Gauff said in a courtside interview before addressing the Margaret Court Arena crowd.
โI just want to say thank you guys so much. You guys were chanting my name and I only thought that would happen at the U.S. Open.โ
1718 BEATING TEARFUL SINIAKOVA WAS TOUGH: KVITOVA
Petra Kvitova said her crushing 6-1 6-0 win over Katerina Siniakova was bittersweet after her Czech compatriot was reduced to tears late in the contest.
โI saw Katka was in the last game of our match crying, so it wasnโt really nice for me. We know each other well,โ Kvitova told reporters.
โWe practice in the same club in Prague and itโs not easy to play (someone) you know well. But itโs a tennis match and I just had to keep rolling.โ
1633 WOZNIACKI HAS NO REGRETS RETIRING BEFORE OLYMPICS
Caroline Wozniacki said the thought of retiring after this yearโs Olympics had crossed her mind but the former world number 1 has no regrets about her decision to walk away following the Australian Open.
โI wished I could have played doubles or mixed doubles. That would have made it even more desirable for me to go out thereโฆ who knows? Maybe Iโll show up and do something else,โ Wozniacki told reporters.
Asked about a potential switch to distance running, the 29-year-old added: โI donโt know if the Olympics and a marathon would be my way. Maybe in a bit more leisurely way.โ
1555 FEDERER CRUISES INTO SECOND ROUND
Roger Federer, who is looking to become the first 38-year-old man to capture a Grand Slam singles title in the Open era, swatted aside American Steve Johnson 6-3 6-2 6-2.
1550 KVITOVA TOO GOOD FOR CZECH COMPATRIOT SINIAKOVA
Last yearโs runner-up Petra Kvitova, seeded seventh, won 12 games in a row to beat fellow Czech Katerina Siniakova 6-1 6-0 and set up a meeting with Spainโs Paula Badosa.
1505 WOZNIACKI STROLLS PAST AHN BEFORE RAIN HALTS PLAY
Caroline Wozniacki, playing in the final tournament of her career, eased past American Kristie Ahn 6-1 6-3 while Romaniaโs Sorana Cirstea stunned 32nd seed Barbora Strycova 6-2 7-6(5) before rain brought a halt to proceedings on the outer courts.
1433 BATTLING EVANS OVERCOMES MCDONALD
Britainโs Dan Evans recovered from two sets down to defeat unseeded American Mackenzie McDonald 3-6 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-3, while Hungaryโs Marton Fucsovics stunned 13th seed Denis Shapovalov of Canada 6-3 6-7(7) 6-1 7-6(3).
Guido Pella, the 22nd seed, ended his three-match losing streak in the first round at Melbourne Park with a 6-3 7-5 6-4 win over John-Patrick Smith.
1409 FOR OLYMPIA, PLAY-DOH PIPS SERENAโS FEATS
Serena Williams was asked following her first-round victory if her young daughter Olympia was able to understand the magnitude of her achievements yet.
โSadly no. She only cares about Play Doh and Qai Qai (her doll). I try and tell her Iโm somebodyโฆ around town Iโm just known as Olympiaโs mom,โ Williams said.
1359 SERENA POWERS PAST POTAPOVA
American Serena Williams began her latest quest for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title with a 6-0 6-3 victory over Russian teenager Anastasia Potapova. Williams fired nine aces and broke her opponent five times in a contest lasting 58 minutes.
1331 OSAKA SHINES WITH DAD WATCHING ON
A victory to kick off her title defence was doubly sweet for Naomi Osaka with a special guest cheering her on from the crowd. โMy dad watched my match from my box for the first time during a Grand Slam. I feel so happy,โ the 22-year-old tweeted.
1308 QUERREY DOWNS CORIC, BERRETTINI OFF THE MARK
Unseeded American Sam Querrey knocked out 25th seed Borna Coric of Croatia 6-3 6-4 6-4 and was joined in the second round by eighth seed Matteo Berrettini, who beat Australian wild card Andrew Harris 6-3 6-1 6-3 for his first Australian Open win.
1235 OSAKA INTO SECOND ROUND
Defending champion Naomi Osaka overcame swirling winds and a tough opponent in Maria Bouzkova to advance to the second round with a 6-2 6-4 victory.
Osaka relied on a powerful serve and blistering forehand to get herself out of trouble and overcame 28 unforced errors while she broke the Czech twice in each set to seal the win.
1202 SPAINโS BADOSA FIRST INTO SECOND ROUND
Paula Badosa became the first player into the second round with her 6-1 6-0 demolition of Swedish qualifier Johanna Larsson in just 57 minutes on Court 22.
American-born Badossa, 22, will face either Katerina Siniakova or seventh seed Petra Kvitova in the second round.
1140 RAONIC TO FACE LUCKY LOSER
Canadaโs Milos Raonic has had a late change of opponent for his first round match on Monday after Moldovaโs Radu Albot withdrew, organisers said.
Albot has been replaced in the draw by lucky loser Lorenzo Giustino of Italy for the clash on Court 19.
1100 PLAY UNDERWAY ALTHOUGH RAIN EXPECTED
Play got underway on all courts on time although the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast heavy rain throughout the day with a high of just 21C (69.8ยฐF).
Smoke from bushfires that affected qualifying has dissipated and Victoriaโs Environmental Protection Agency rated the air quality as good.
REUTERS
