Defending champion Yannick Siner bounced back from the first set to beat wild card Tristan Schoolkate at the Australian Open, while Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis were forced out of the doubles through injury.
Sinner was stumped early on by local hope Schoolkate before regaining his composure and progressing to the third round with a 4-6 6-4 6-1 6-3 victory.
The world No. 1 “The Sinner” had won 30 of his last 31 matches in the competition and had not lost a set in 15 matches since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in Beijing last October.
“It’s always difficult to play against a player I’ve never played before, he played really well in the beginning and served very well,” said top seed Siner.
“I have to be very happy with my performance, never take anything for granted and I’m really happy to be in the next round. I can improve, yes, but I’ll take it.”
Next up for Sinner, as he looks to build on his Grand Slam titles in Melbourne and New York last year, is the American world number 46. Marcos Giron.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis complete the doubles match
Nick Kyrgios (right) and Thanasi Kokkinakis were forced to end their Australian Open doubles match.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis’ bid to repeat their doubles triumph at the 2022 Australian Open ended in retirement after the latter failed to continue their match in the first round.
Kokkinakis was advised not to play after aggravating a hand injury in his five-set singles loss against compatriots James Duckworth and Alex Vukic. to British No. 1 Jack Draper on Wednesday.
“I probably have to do a major procedure now. I have to talk to as many experts as I can,” Kokkinakis told reporters after retiring, trailing 7-5 3-2.
“I can’t serve, I can’t hit a high forehand, I’m in a lot of pain, I wanted to see if I can be somewhat competitive even without serving.
“Just wanted to get out on the court with the big guy again. Such great memories. We knew we had a great crowd.”
Kokkinakis’ injury ended the reunion of the “Special K” pairings
Kyrgios made the offer after his loss to Scotland’s Jacob Fearnley on Monday that he would never play singles again at his home Grand Slambut he is open to continue doubles with his friend.
“I think at full potential and full health, we can always do some damage in doubles. Obviously, I felt the crowd was ready to erupt from the start tonight,” Kyrgios said.
“For me personally, I couldn’t see myself more than probably in the top singles this year. Doubles is a little bit easier on the body. I think we can still play amazing doubles.”
Fritz donated prize money to the Los Angeles wildfires
Taylor Fritz to donate £67,000 to Los Angeles bushfires
american Taylor Fritz he is donating his first round prize to help people affected by the California wildfires.
The fourth seed advanced to the third round with a 6-2 6-1 6-0 thrashing of Chile’s Cristian Garin, then revealed he will donate A$132,000 (around £67,000) to relief efforts.
“I just want everyone to stay safe, it’s just crazy what happened,” said Fritz, who used to live in Los Angeles and has family and friends affected.
“I wanted to say something after my first round match, but I’m going to donate my first round prize to the Los Angeles Wildfire Relief Fund. It’s really the least I could do.
“Southern California is my home and Los Angeles has been my home for a very long time, so I’m just doing what I can to help. I would encourage anyone who can to donate because a lot of people really need help.
“My friends were hurt. I had to evacuate several families. The house where my brothers grew up burned down.”
Fritz reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open last summer and has been relentless in Melbourne so far, losing just eight games in six sets.
He is the next face 38 years old Gael Monfilswho continued his excellent start to the season with a 7-5 6-3 7-6 (3) win over Daniel Altmaier.
Monfils became the oldest winner of an ATP Tour title in Auckland last weekend and feels he has nothing to prove.
“I can finish now,” he said. “I think I’ve done what I want. If I do more, I’m happy. As I always say, the most important thing for me is my health. than I can even imagine, so I’m already blessed.”
Fonseca’s run is coming to an end
Promising Brazilian 18-year-old Joao Fonseca was knocked out by the Italians Lorenzo Sonego 6-7 (8-6) 6-3 6-1 3-6 6-3 to mark his Grand Slam main draw debut with a straight sets victory over 9th seed Andrei Rublev.
Home favorite Alex de Minaur has been troubled so far and he eased to a 6-2 6-4 6-3 win over American Tristan Boyer, whose home town has been hit hard by bushfires, while the Serbian Miomir Ketsmanovich knocked out 18th seed Hubert Hurkac in straight sets.
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