The opening day of the 15-day 2024 Australian Open is within the books after a bumper first day of motion full of marathon matches.
But if the Australian Open had been hoping to chop down on the late evening finishes, the additional day hasn’t labored as day one completed after 12.30am, regardless of a number of latest guidelines.
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >
While it was a large day of tennis, solely three seeded gamers — ladies’s twentieth seed and 2023 AO semi-finalist Magda Linette, who crashed out after sustaining a leg damage and thirteenth seed Liudmila Samsonova and thirtieth seed Xinyu Wang — had been casualties on day one.
But whereas it wasn’t a day that noticed too many seeded gamers eradicated, huge identify stars had been actually examined.
Men’s World No. 1 Novak Djokovic was pushed by 18-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic, dropping a set and taking greater than 4 hours to dispatch {the teenager}.
The 4h1m marathon was the longest first spherical match of Djokovic’s profession, a feather within the cap of the younger Croatian.
World No. 5 Andrey Rublev solely simply survived a virtually 4 hour, five-set thriller as nicely, earlier than lastly defeating Thiago Seyboth Wild in an excellent tie-break.
On the opposite aspect of the equation was defending ladies’s champion Aryna Sabalenka, who dispatched 18-year-old German Ella Seidel 6-0 6-1.
It was a troublesome day for Aussies with solely Chris O’Connell surviving by way of to spherical two after a 4h21m five-set victory over Cristian Garin.
Aussie wildcard Alex Walton was defeated in straight units, Dane Sweeny was outlasted in 5 by twenty second seed Francisco Cerundolo, whereas it took 5 hours for Daniel Elahi Galan to down Jason Kubler within the day’s longest epic.
Action from day two begins at 11am.
Australian Open Day 1 schedule
Rod Laver Arena from 12pm (AEDT)
Jannik Sinner (ITA) [4] defeats Botic Van de Zandschulp (NED) 6-4, 7-5, 6-3
Maria Sakkari (GRE) [8] defeats Nao Hibino (JPN) 6-4, 6-1
From 7pm
Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1] defeats Dino Prizmic (CRO) 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4
Aryna Sabalenka [2] defeats Ella Seidel (GER) 6-0, 6-1
Margaret Court Arena from 12pm
Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) [9] defeats Mai Hontama (JPN) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
Andrey Rublev [5] defeats Thiago Seyboth Wild (BRA) 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6
From 7pm
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) defeats Magda Linette (POL) [20] 6-2, 2-0 walkover
Frances Tiafoe (USA) [17] defeats Borna Coric (CRO) 6-3, 7-6, 2-6, 6-3
John Cain Arena from 11am
Leylah Fernandez (CAN) [32] defeats Sara Bejlek (CZE) 7-6 6-2
Francisco Cerundolo (ARG) [22] defeats Dane Sweeny (AUS) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2
From 4pm
Taylor Fritz (USA) [12] defeats Facundo Diaz Acosta (ARG) 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
Other Australians in motion
Matteo Arnaldi (ITA) defeats Adam Walton (AUS) 7-6, 6-2, 6-4
Chris O’Connell (AUS) defeats Cristian Garin (CHI) 3-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5
After 6pm — Daniel Elahi Galan (COL) defeats Jason Kubler (AUS) 2-6, 6-3, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6
12.38pm – Sabalenka’s ‘ruthless’ thrashing
After getting on courtroom after 11.30pm, Aryna Sabalenka was at her ruthless greatest towards 18-year-old qualifier Ella Seidel.
The teen was clearly overawed by the World No. 2’s energy because the Belarusian powered to victory in lower than an hour.
Sabalenka served six aces, received 56 factors to 26 and completely dominated.
Seidel was close to tears on the ruthless thrashing however she lastly received a degree at 6-0 5-0 to no less than put a smile on her face.
But it was about all she may do as Sabalenka served out the match — regardless of not having the ability to convert three match factors earlier than lastly sealing the win.
11.30pm – ‘Insane’: 18yo freak stuns Novak
Novak Djokovic has needed to do it the exhausting option to get by way of to the second spherical of the Australian Open after World No. 178 qualifier Dino Prizmic went head-to-head with the 10-time champion for greater than 4 hours.
It’s the primary time in Djokovic’s grand slam profession {that a} first-round match has gone greater than 4 hours, eclipsing the earlier longest, which was 3hr 57min towards Gael Monfils in 2005.
The 18-year-old Croatian simply had zero give up and rocked Djokovic in a brutal conflict.
After profitable the primary set 6-2, Djokovic was placed on the again foot when at 15-40, he was known as for a time violation earlier than Prizmic hit the second serve for a forehand winner to nab a break at 3-1.
“That was an insane game,” John McEnroe mentioned on Nine.
“Culminating with the best forehand he’s ever hit in his life, probably.”
While Djokovic broke straight again, it confirmed the younger Croatian was able to play, taking all of it the way in which to the Serbian famous person to pinch a set when after 4 set factors, Djokovic pushed a ball huge.
In the third set, Djokovic broke within the second sport of the set to go up 2-0 however Prizmic broke straight again twice to go up 3-2 after profitable a 15 minute sport.
Djokovic then bounced again and claimed the third set 6-3.
After Djokovic ran out to a 4-0 lead within the fourth, it appeared like he had lastly damaged the teen.
But he simply didn’t quit, battling again and eventually happening 6-4.
Djokovic had nothing however reward for Prizmic after the match, tipping {the teenager} for excellent issues.
“He deserved every applause, every credit that he got tonight. He’s amazing player, I must say, so mature for his age,” Djokovic mentioned on courtroom.
“He handled himself on the court incredibly well. This is his moment, honestly.
“It could have easily been his match as well. He was a break up in the third.
“He fought even though he was 4-0 down and a break point down from 5-0, he fought, he showed great mentality, resilience.
“He made me really run for my money for sure, tonight. That’s for sure. And honestly I have many, many praises for him.
“I love the way he’s using every inch of the court. He’s comfortable to come in, he’s defending incredibly well.
“Just amazing performance for someone that is 18 years old, had never had an experience of playing on a big stage. Big kudos to him and his team, to his family. I certainly want to be in his corner, so hopefully he will invite me because he is going to make some big things in his career. That’s for sure. We are going to see a lot of him in the future.”
Djokovic joked that at 36, he was double Prizmic’s age and that the teen had an “incredible game plan”.
11.25pm – Kubler falls in five-hour epic
It’s been a combined day for Australia after Aussie wildcard Jason Kubler fell in a 4hr59m epic towards Colombian World No. 89 Daniel Elahi Galan in an absolute marathon on the opening evening of the Australian Open.
The World No. 112 Kubler and Galan couldn’t be cut up earlier than a fifth set tremendous tie break.
It lastly appeared like Galan had raced away for a win when he opened up a 7-2 lead, however the Aussie hit again to lock all of it up at 7-all.
Unfortunately, that was about all he had left, as Galan received the following two factors, and although Kubler pulled one again, an unforced error noticed the Colombian come out victorious.
It means simply one of many 4 Aussies in motion right now has made it by way of to the following spherical with Chris O’Connell the one Aussie winner.
Dane Sweeny additionally went down in five-sets whereas Alex Walton was vanquished in straight units.
But O’Connell took greater than 4 hours to down Cristian Garin to guide Australia’s solely second spherical match up from day one.
8.06pm – Aussie wins insane five-set marathon
Aussie World No. 71 Christopher O’Connell has survived a greater than 4 hour marathon to down World No. 88 Cristian Garin in a five-set thriller on the Australian Open.
O’Connell misplaced the primary and fought again from being down two units to 1, coming again to win 3-6 7-5 4-6 6-1 7-5 in a tense thriller.
O’Connell lastly bought his nostril forward within the fifth set however was damaged to make it 5-all earlier than instantly breaking again.
The 29-year-old was then capable of serve out the match.
The consequence took over 4 hours however O’Connell can even get two days off earlier than his subsequent conflict towards the winner of sixteenth seed Ben Shelton and Roberto Bautista Agut.
But not all followers had been completely satisfied.
Those watching on free-to-air TV had been left fuming after Channel 9’s essential channel went to the news after which onto the Novak Djokovic match towards Croatia’s Dino Prizmic, who’s ranked No. 178 on the earth.
It makes O’Connell the primary Aussie into the second spherical after grand slam debutants Adam Walton and Dane Sweeny crashed out.
Walton was taking part in for a match up towards countryman Alex de Minaur however was crushed in straight units by Italian Matteo Arnaldi.
Sweeny put up an almighty combat towards twenty second seed Francisco Cerundolo, happening in 5 units.
6.50pm – Fifth seed survives main opening spherical fright
Andrey Rublev would have been hoping for a breezy opening encounter at Melbourne Park, what unfolded was something however that for the Russian star.
The world quantity 5 appeared on monitor for a straight units victory to kick off his grand slam marketing campaign, however Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild had different concepts.
The 23-year-old, ranked 78th on the earth, bounced again in beautiful style to take the third and fourth units and push the competition right into a deciding fifth set.
What unfolded within the fifth was the equal of a heavyweight title combat as each males threw all the things that they had at each other.
Rublev held three match factors whereas up 6-5, however Wild once more refused to die and fought again in beautiful style to ship it right into a fifth-set tie-break.
The Brazilian had the group within the palm of his hand as he raced away to the early 4-1 benefit, however Rublev confirmed why he’s among the finest on the planet.
He reeled off 9 of the following 11 factors to safe the thrilling victory 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (10-6).
5.30pm – Russian star’s ugly act terrifies ballgirl
Pavel Vyacheslavovich Kotov has superior into the second spherical of the Australian Open, however the Russian participant needs to be counting his fortunate stars.
In the center of his encounter towards Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, Kotov exploded in an unsightly outburst.
As his frustrations boiled over he grabbed the ball and slammed it violently into the again wall as a ballgirl standing dangerously shut by shied away from the incident.
Thankfully for Kotov the ball didn’t strike the ballgirl, as it might have resulted in an automated disqualification from the match.
He was capable of include his anger as he went on to say the 7-5, 6-1, 6-7, 6-7, 6-3 victory and transfer into the second spherical.
4.40pm – Aussies worn out in opening day carnage
Day one of many Australian Open hasn’t been sort on the locals.
Adam Walton turned the primary Aussie to fall on the opening Grand Slam on the calendar earlier than Dane Sweeny joined him following a five-set battle.
Sweeny had twenty second seed Francisco Cerundolo on the backfoot after claiming the opening set, nevertheless it was the Argentinian who bounced again to take the second and third units.
The Aussie, ranked 257th on the earth, wasn’t completed and compelled the match right into a deciding fifth set following a monster comeback.
Sadly it was one-way visitors down the stretch as Cerundolo proved far too sturdy as he claimed the 3-6 6-3 6-4 2-6 6-2 victory.
Fellow Aussie Chris O’Connell is locked in his opening spherical encounter towards Cristian Garin.
Despite coming into because the heavy favorite, it was Garin who bought the early bounce and claimed the opening set 6-3.
4pm – Sweeny pushes it to a fifth
Look out Australia, we might have a brand new cult hero on our fingers.
Dane Sweeny has fought again within the fourth set with a dominant 6-2 exhibiting to drive his first spherical encounter right into a fifth set.
3.25pm – Aussie fighter getting ready to falling
Dane Sweeny surprised twenty second seed Francisco Cerundolo by taking the opening set of their first spherical match.
But it’s been Cerundolo who has flipped the script because the Argentinian has responded in model by claiming the second and third set.
He’s now one set away from advancing into the second spherical.
2pm – First Aussie falls
Adam Walton has turn out to be the primary Aussie casualty knocked out of the Australian Open.
Walton was eradicated by Italian Matteo Arnaldi 7-6 6-2 6-4 on Show Court Arena.
The wildcard had an opportunity to serve for the primary set at 6-5, however let the golden alternative slip.
The 24-year-old was competing in his first ever grand slam essential draw and was one of many 15 Aussies within the males’s singles draw.
Arnaldi will play the winner of the match between Alex de Minaur and Milos Raonic within the second spherical.
12.30pm – De Minaur secret coaching aspect noticed
Alex de Minaur has been seen in an uncommon coaching session on the Australian Open.
According to main tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg, the Australian was swearing like a sailor throughout his coaching session with Stan Wawrinka on Margaret Court Arena.
“Stan Wawrinka, I actually saw him hitting today and he was on court on Margaret Court Arena with de Minaur,” Rothenberg mentioned on the No Challenges Remaining podcast,
“It was funny. They’re very contrasting styles and they were very giggly and de Minaur was cursing a lot, which was funny. I don’t really hear him curse much but it was quite profane to hear from the top rope.
“It wasn’t like gross, but it was just a bunch of PG13-rated cursing.”
Meanwhile, de Minaur’s trademark preventing spirit was additional celebrated by tennis icon Andre Agassi on Sunday morning.
“When I watch him play, I just want to feel that way for five minutes a day,” Agassi mentioned on Channel 9.
“The energy and passion — he embodies the Australian spirit as well as anybody ever has.”
9am — Djokovic takes savage swipe on opening day
Novak Djokovic has taken a uncommon public swipe at a rival star in a shock transfer throughout his Australian Open media day commitments on Saturday.
The world No. 1 didn’t have a lot to say when he confronted the press in Melbourne – however he got here out blasting in an interview with French newspaper L’Equipe.
As reported by French journalist Quentin Moynet on Sunday morning, Djokovic has fired pictures at American rising star Ben Shelton after the pair had a run-in on the US Open final yr.
The Serbian famous person mocked Shelton by imitating his trademark “phone call” gesture.
Shelton’s signature celebration, which he has mentioned he’s used to point he’s “dialled in”, irked the normally composed Djokovic, who mimed a cellphone being put down after his straight units win.
The pair had an ungainly handshake on the finish of the mach.
Now Djokovic has admitted Shelton’s act nonetheless will get to him.
“It was a reaction against him, he did not behave properly, with respect, on court, and before the match,” he mentioned.
“If anyone one places himself in the unsportsmanlike zone, I react.”
World primary Djokovic is gunning for his eleventh Australian Open title and twenty fifth main, which might take him away from Margaret Court on the all-time checklist.
The 36-year-old, who beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in final yr’s title match in Melbourne, is the new favorite once more.
“I’m just hoping I can start the season in a way that I have been starting my seasons, most of my seasons, throughout my career, with a win here in Australia, in Melbourne,” he mentioned.
“It’s my favourite place, no doubt — the court where I’ve done great things and achieved my greatest Grand Slam results.”
Star blasts again into Top 10 for first time in six years
Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko and younger Czech Jiri Lehecka accomplished the right build-up to the Australian Open on Saturday by claiming the Adelaide International titles.
Big-hitting Lehecka bounced again from shedding the primary set to beat Briton Jack Draper and declare a maiden ATP Tour crown 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Sixth seed Ostapenko surged again into the world’s high 10 for the primary time since 2018 by beating Russian Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 6-2 for a seventh WTA Tour title.
She received the primary set and broke to begin the second however had bother closing out victory, taking 4 match factors to get the job finished in 76 minutes.
“This is great, I had some really tough matches this week,” mentioned former French Open champion Ostapenko after accumulating her first title since Dubai in 2022.
“I enjoyed every moment of playing here. I can’t wait to come back, it’s so nice to be in Australia.” Britain’s Draper began nicely however his degree started to undergo as Lehecka took cost in a championship match lasting 2hr 8mins.
“It’s so emotional to win my first title here,” Lehecka mentioned after a battle of the 22-year-olds. “I’m super excited.
“It feels amazing, it’s a dream come true for me. I always wanted to win a trophy, so it’s even better that I won it here in Adelaide.
“I’m happy for the win. This is a great way to start the year.” Lehecka will rise three spots to a career-high 23 on the earth on Monday, with the victory making him the primary Czech to say an ATP title since Jiri Vesely in Pune in 2020.
“This is what I train for,” Draper mentioned.
“Jiri played incredible tennis and won his first title, the same thing I was trying for.
“He deserved it, he was the better player today. This is my second year here and I went one farther than my semi-final last year.”
— with AFP
Source: www.news.com.au
