Australian Open: Key players advance as focus shifts to Tuesday's matches

THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN gathered momentum on Monday as many of the tournament’s leading contenders safely moved through the opening round, while a handful of notable exits and physical struggles hinted at the challenges to come in Melbourne.

Novak Djokovic opened his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title with a commanding straight-sets victory over Spain’s Pedro Martinez on Rod Laver Arena, winning 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to register his 100th Australian Open match victory. The Serbian fourth seed ensured there would be no late-night drama on a court where he has won 10 of his major titles.

“I’m blessed to be still playing at this level,” Djokovic said after the match. “It always feels good at the beginning of the tournament. Let’s see how I progress. Tonight’s performance was definitely great, I cannot complain about anything ... let’s hope for the best.”

Djokovic was joined in the second round by fellow veterans Stan Wawrinka and Marin Cilic, both rolling back the years with first-round wins. Wawrinka, playing his final season of Grand Slam tennis, fought through four sets to beat Laslo Djere.

“I know I’m not as good as I was before,” Wawrinka said. “That’s normal. I’m getting old. But I’m still happy with what I’m doing, always trying to push my own limit, always trying to be better.”

Daniil Medvedev also advanced after a demanding 7-5, 6-2, 7-6(2) win over Jesper de Jong, easing concerns after three consecutive first-round exits at Grand Slams. The Russian, a three-time finalist in Melbourne, admitted the match tested him.

“Today was not easy. I mean, first match, Grand Slam,” Medvedev said. “The most important is to win. I’m playing better (than last year) and looking forward to this Australian Open.”

Home favourite Alex De Minaur made short work of lucky loser Mackenzie McDonald, while Felix Auger-Aliassime’s tournament ended abruptly when the seventh seed retired with severe cramp against Nuno Borges.

“I want to be on the court competing with my opponent,” Auger-Aliassime said. “I don’t want to be just standing there, you know, like a punching bag. So there’s no point.”

Swiatek made to work

In the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek was made to work harder than expected in a 7-6(5), 6-3 win over Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue as she opened her campaign for a first Australian Open title.

“I guess there were some moments where I felt great, but the start of the match wasn’t that perfect,” Swiatek said. “I’m happy that I worked through this and could finish in two sets.”

Coco Gauff also advanced with a straight-sets win over Kamilla Rakhimova, while Americans Amanda Anisimova and Jessica Pegula moved smoothly into round two to underline the strength of the United States contingent.

After two days of record crowds at Melbourne Park, attention now turns to Tuesday’s schedule, which features several title holders and leading contenders beginning their campaigns.

Men’s champion Jannik Sinner launches his bid for a third consecutive Australian Open crown when he faces France’s Hugo Gaston in the night session on Rod Laver Arena. The Italian second seed is seeking to join Djokovic as the only men in the Open Era to win three straight titles in Melbourne.

“We worked a lot on trying to make the transition to the net. The serve we changed a couple of things,” Sinner said ahead of the tournament. “When you are at the top level, these are the small details that make the difference.”

Madison Keys also begins her title defence earlier in the day against Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova, while former champion Naomi Osaka returns to centre court against Antonia Ruzic. Top-10 seeds Elena Rybakina and Belinda Bencic are also in action as the first round continues.