Melbourne (AP) – The day after the departure of the unvaccinated top star Novak Djokovic, the Australian Open began with early defeats by German tennis professionals.
Tatjana Maria and Peter Gojowczyk said goodbye on the first day of the tournament in Melbourne after the first round. Munich’s Gojowczyk lost clearly 3: 6, 3: 6, 3: 6 against Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi. Despite a good performance by the clearly favored Greek Maria Sakkari, Maria had to admit defeat 4:6, 6:7 (2:7).
Maria’s only mother of two
“I think I played a good match. I had a few chances that I didn’t use,” said the 34-year-old Swabian after her performance on Center Court in the Rod Laver Arena. According to the organizer, Maria is the only mother of two to compete in Melbourne. Eight-year-old Charlotte was sitting in the stands with her father and coach Charles Edouard Maria, and little Cecilia was sleeping in the stands.
“Having our second baby means I’m on the right track,” said the former Top 50 player: “I feel better than I have in a long time and I think that little bit, that was missing today, hopefully will come soon.” At the end of July, the American-by-choice returned to the tour just four months after the birth of her second daughter.
Only three German women made it into the main draw of the first Grand Slam tournament of the season. Angelique Kerber, who triumphed in Melbourne in 2016, only gets into the action on Tuesday. In the men’s category there were nine German first-round participants – of which Gojowczyk was the first to lose.
Zverev meets Altmaier
German number one Alexander Zverev meets Daniel Altmaier in a German duel this Monday (2nd game after 9 a.m. / Eurosport). The Olympic champion is aiming for the first Grand Slam title of his career. Due to the absence of Serbian world number one Djokovic, his chances have increased.
Djokovic had to leave the country on Sunday after a long back and forth due to his visa being finally declared invalid. The unvaccinated world number one wanted to take part in the Australian Open with a medical exemption after a corona infection. However, the authorities had refused him entry to Australia. The 34-year-old Serb landed in Dubai on Monday morning, the AP news agency reported. It was initially unclear where last year’s winner would travel to.
In the women’s category, defending champion and co-favorite Naomi Osaka made it through to the second round with ease. The former world number one from Japan beat Colombia’s Camila Osorio 6-3, 6-3.
.
ttn-10