Source: Australian Open
An Aussie doubles star won her first singles game in four years and a reigning Wimbledon champion has exited early, as the Australian Open got into full swing on Monday.
Alex De Minaur, Australia’s highest-ranked men’s player, hits the court at 7pm.
The world No.10 will be hoping to outdo his fourth-round finish in 2022 and 2023, but he isn’t the only Australian progressing through the tournament.
A packed house turned out to Melbourne Park on Monday to watch Dubbo’s Storm Hunter, ranked No.1 in the world for doubles, face Italian Sara Errani.
There was instant success for Hunter, as she broke Errani in the first game of the match.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing, however, as the pair traded breaks before the Australian sealed a tense 6-4 first set.
The second set began just like the first. Hunter broke Errani in the first game as the crowd willed her on with regular chants of “Aussie Aussie Aussie” between games, before winning the set.
Storm Hunter after winning her first-round match against Sara Errani. Photo: AAP
Hunter’s only other Open singles win was in qualifying four years ago. She said Monday’s first-round victory “means everything.”
“I grew up watching the Australian Open and then dreaming of playing here and then I’ve had a lot of opportunities,” she said.
“I’m a little bit older, so I’ve played a few main draws and never got the win.”
Daniil Medvedev headlined day two, surviving a first-round scare against Terrence Atmane in their midday game at Margaret Court Arena.
Atmane has made headlines because of his extensive collection of Pokemon trading cards. The 22-year-old Frenchman estimates his collection is worth about $100,000.
On Monday, he was all business, shocking the world No.3 by taking the first set 7-5.
Medvedev survived a first-set scare against Atmane. Photo: AAP
Medvedev recovered strongly, breaking Atmane instantly as the young Frenchman racked up unforced errors. Medvedev then convincingly won the second set.
The Russian found his confidence and consistency as the game continued, and Atmane appeared to be on the back foot before the young Frenchman was forced to retire because of injury.
There has already been one major surprise on day two, with Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova exiting the competition early to the unheralded Dayana Yastremska in straight sets.
Vondrousova, ranked seventh in the world and the 2023 Wimbledon winner, was the favourite against her Ukrainian opponent, who ranks just inside the top 100.
Australians will remember Yastremska sending Sam Stosur home in 2019. On Monday, she repeated the feat by beating the Czech favourite in just 76 minutes.
US Open champion Coco Gauff avoided the same fate with a convincing 6-3 6-0 win over Slovakian Anna Schmiedova.
The world No.4 won nine games in a row to beat her challenger, and said the win gave her confidence heading into the next round.
“My first match at the US Open was also a tough match,” she said.
“When I was nervous at 3-all I just said to myself ‘I feel good, I look good – so just have fun.”
Alexei Popyrin faced fellow Australian Marc Polmans, making short work of his wildcard opponent.
Polmans – rocking a legionnaires cap reminiscent of ball-kids’ attire – was the clear underdog heading into their match, and the first set played out as expected.
Marc Polmans served strongly to take the second set to a tiebreaker. Photo: AAP
Popyrin broke his unfancied opponent twice to win the set 6-3 in 37 minutes. Polmans held serve strongly in the second to take it to a tiebreaker.
Popyrin remained in control to win the game and progress to the next round, beating Polmans in straight sets.