After major initial difficulties, Novak Djokovic ultimately confidently reached the second round of the Australian Open.
Djokovic (37) initially had big problems with the 19-year-old American Nishesh Basavareddy. But the outsider exerted himself early and the 24-time Grand Slam winner, who is now being coached by Andy Murray, ultimately clearly prevailed 4:6, 6:3, 6:4, 6:2.
Carlos Alcaraz, on the other hand, dominated from the start. The reigning Wimbledon and French Open winner beat Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko 6:3, 7:5, 6:1 and moved into the second round. While Djokovic now faces the Portuguese Jaime Faria, the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka is Alcaraz’s next opponent. “I’m trying to get better every day,” said the 21-year-old: “It starts with the person, but of course also as a player. I’m happy with my level and hope that I can enjoy the next game too.”
Perfect start for the German tennis women
After Tatjana Maria, the other two starters in the main field, Laura Siegemund and Jule Niemeier, also made it to the second round of the Australian Open.
Siegemund beat the American Hailey Baptiste after a marathon match lasting 3:16 hours. The 36-year-old won the intense game despite being one set down 4:6, 7:5, 6:4 and will now face Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen from China.
“It means a lot to me. I’m a year older again and have shown once again that I’m still at a good level physically. I’m just proud of myself that something like that even on a not so good day when I’m so-so play, still draw”said Siegemund, not wanting to waste any thought on her upcoming task.
“I’m now at a stage in my career where I want to take two or three hours to enjoy what’s going on.” Two years ago, doubles expert Siegemund (2020 US Open winner) had already reached the third singles round in Melbourne.
Matthias Cammann, Sportschau, January 13, 2025 8:28 a.m
Jule Niemeier makes short work of it
Niemeier, who was in a great mood, then made short work of qualifier Maja Chwalinska from Poland, 6-0, 6-1 in 1:14 hours. Niemeier from Dortmund didn’t give her inexperienced opponent the slightest chance. For the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist, who has recovered after difficult times last year, it is the first time she has taken part in the second round of the Australian Open.
Tatjana Maria was the first of the three German starters to qualify for the second round on Sunday with a victory over Bernarda Pera (USA). In the next match on Wednesday, Maria, the oldest player in the main field, is now waiting for the Dane Clara Tauson.
German men without success
Things went less well for the German men on Monday: Jan-Lennard Struff largely had no chance in the 3:6, 0:6, 6:4, 1:6 against number 29 seeded Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.
For Dominik Koepfer, the first round of the main field was also the end of the line. The qualifier from Furtwangen gave Australian local hero Jordan Thompson a tough fight, but had to admit defeat 6:7 (3:7), 4:6, 6:4, 3:6.
Iga Swiatek and Coco Cauff without much effort
The top favorites continue to show no weakness. After defending champion Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus had booked her ticket for the second round, Poland’s Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff (USA) also won their respective opening matches the next day.
Swiatek beat Katerina Siniakova 6:3, 6:4. The world number two only needed 1:21 hours against her Czech opponent. Swiatek is still waiting for a tournament victory in Melbourne.
Gauff had previously also prevailed in the Rod Laver Arena. The world number three beat her compatriot Sofia Kenin 6:3, 6:3. “I knew it would be difficult, but I’m happy with how I played” said the 2023 US Open winner afterwards.
Sinner continues, Kyrgios and Tsitsipas fail early
In the men’s field, defending champion Jannik Sinner defied the ongoing discussions about his doping case and ultimately celebrated a confident opening victory. The Italian world number one won against the sometimes strong Chilean Nicolas Jarry 7:6 (7:2), 7:6 (7:5), 6:1. At the start of his hunt for his third Grand Slam title, Sinner appeared highly concentrated in the crucial phases of the game. After 2:40 hours, the 23-year-old converted his match point.
Tennis player Nick Kyrgios’ much-anticipated Grand Slam comeback has ended in major disappointment for the Australian hosts. The 29-year-old local hero failed in the first round of the Australian Open with a 6:7 (3:7), 3:6, 6:7 (2:7) defeat by Briton Jacob Fearnley.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist did not appear particularly physically fit and had to be treated by a physiotherapist during the match in the John Cain Arena. Kyrgios last took part in a Grand Slam tournament at the US Open 2022.
The Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas has also already failed at his opening hurdle. The world number 11, who reached the final in Australia in 2023, lost to the American Alex Michelsen, number 42 in the world, 5:7, 3:6, 6:2, 4:6.
Tsitsipas is the first player in the extended world elite to be thrown out of the tournament. Most recently, the two-time Grand Slam finalist, who had lost touch with the top in 2024, was eliminated in the first round in Melbourne in 2018 – when he was 19 years old at the time.