Australian Open: Sinner storms through opening test
Two-time defending champ is through to the second round
Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner made short work of his opening match in Melbourne with a crushing win over Hugo Gaston of France.
The Italian, who is looking for a hat-trick of titles this year, dominated two sets before Gaston abruptly retired on the Rod Laver Arena.
In his first official match of the year, the Italian world number two stormed to a 6-2 6-1 lead in just over an hour, racking up 19 winners on the court he has ruled for two years.
Gaston took tablets after the first set, and was clearly unwell before he crossed to Sinner’s side after the second set to offer a handshake and apologies.
Sinner said he could see Gaston was not at his best but was happy with his own game.
“I’ve put in many, many long days in the off-season trying to become a better tennis player,” Sinner said
“But at the end of the day the most important part is to go on court and to enjoy it. It’s very special to start the season in a night-session match here in a Grand Slam, the packed stadium, just trying to do your best.”
Sinner was beaten by arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz in the last major final at the U.S. Open. He will next face Australian James Duckworth for a place in the third round.
In the women’s draw, Naomi Osaka made a fashion statement and a bold entrance to her first-round match.
Osaka has won two of her four Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open.
She was made to work by Antonia Ruzic of Croatia but came through 6-3 3-6 6-4 in two hours and 22 minutes.
A symbolic butterfly on her hat and umbrella was a reference to her Australian Open title in 2021, she explained in her on-court TV interview. The colours and tendrils on her dress represented a jellyfish in a design inspired by her daughter, Shai.
Osaka said her clothing sponsor, Nike, “let me design this one.
“It’s modelled after a jellyfish,” she said. “I’m just so grateful I get to do the things I love.”