Tatjana Maria sits down with them Australian Open with a lot of commitment. Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka also shows no weakness. The Norwegian Caspar Ruud has to fight hard to get into the second round. Thunderstorms cause a long disruption in Melbourne.
A heavy thunderstorm and subsequent rain have hit the Australian Open in Melbourne There was a long interruption on the first day of the competition. The spectators were in tents and near the during the storm Courts Looking for protection. Lightning struck several times in the immediate vicinity of the facility.
Maria unnerves American Pera
When things could continue, Tatjana Maria was the first of the three German starters to take her chance and reach the second round. The 37-year-old won against the American Bernarda Pera 7:6 (7:3), 6:4. She converted her fifth match point.
Maria didn’t let herself be disturbed by a thunderstorm and a six-hour break in the rain. In the Tiebreaker In the first set, before which the game was interrupted, Maria unnerved her opponent with her infamous undercut balls. The American Pera couldn’t find a way to counter this in the second round either. In the next match (from Wednesday), the Czech Linda Noskova, seeded at number 29, could be waiting for Maria.
Jule Niemeier’s match, which was scheduled for a later date, was even canceled due to the storm and is expected to be rescheduled for Monday. The games continued on the covered pitches.
Munar makes life difficult for Ruud
The world number six Casper Ruud meanwhile struggled into the second round. In his opening game he struck three times Grand Slam-Finalist from Norway beats the strong Spaniard Jaume Munar narrowly 6:3, 1:6, 7:5, 2:6, 6:1.
Ruud, who has already been with the team twice French Open and once at the US Open reached the final, came in Melbourne never past the round of 16 (2021).
Meanwhile, Kei Nishikori had an emotional celebration comeback-Victory. The Japanese fended off two match points and beat Brazilian Thiago Monteiro 4:6, 6:7 (4:7), 7:5, 6:2, 6:3.
Sabalenka is safe as usual
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka (26) is also in good form early this year. The tournament favorite from Belarus showed no weakness in the first round. In the duel with Sloane Stephens (USA) she made short work of 6:3, 6:2 in 71 minutes.
The world number one can become the first player in Melbourne since the Swiss Martina Hingis (1997-1999) to win the tournament three times in a row.
Zheng and Andrejewa confidently
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen also mastered her opening hurdle. Thanks to the 7:6 (7:3), 6:1 over Anca Todoni, the Chinese became the first top ten player to reach the second round. Zheng only had problems with her Romanian opponent at the beginning of the game.
Top talent Mirra Andrejewa also presented herself confidently. The 17-year-old Russian won easily 6:3, 6:3 against Marie Bouzkova (Czech Republic).