MELBOURNE, Australia - The first round of the Australian Open nearly concluded on Tuesday, with eight matches delayed to Day 3 after a rainout to begin the tournament.
Key Highlights:
[3] Naomi Osaka (JPN) picked up right where she left off in Melbourne – with her eighth consecutive win dating back to her championship run last year. Playing a young Marie Bouzkova for the first time in her career, Osaka counted on her serve to get her out of tight situations and advanced in straight sets.
“I understand that I don't have to play perfect in the first round,” said Osaka, who is looking to repeat. “It's more about building your level up and getting comfortable with yourself.”
All eyes have been on [23] Nick Kyrgios (AUS) during the Australian summer after the Canberra-native spearheaded support for the local bushfires. Admitting that he is playing for more than himself, Kyrgios channeled his energy and overpowered Lorenzo Sonego in straight sets in Melbourne Arena.
“I felt like I was very focused today. Every match I've played this year, I've been pretty good,” said Kyrgios. “I just wanted to come out here and put on a good performance. I was really excited.”
Cruising into R2:
Flying under the radar entering Melbourne, [17] Angelique Kerber (GER) dropped just four games in her opening round match, defeating Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-2, 6-2. The former champion was battling a back injury before the start of the tournament but said she was feeling good after the match.
One of the hottest players on tour, [23] Dayana Yastremska (UKR) used her firepower to advance in just 54 minutes over qualifier Kaja Juvan. Playing aggressively, Yastresmaka never faced a break point and won 75% of her net points to earn a 6-1, 6-1 victory.
[19] Donna Vekic (CRO) drew one of the most challenging first round matches in former World No. 1 and Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova. Energized by the moment and knowing she would be on a stadium court, Vekic capitalized on all four of her breakpoint opportunities and downed Sharapova 6-3, 6-4.
Going the Distance:
For the first time in his career, [31] Hubert Hurkacz (POL) came back from two-sets down to record his first main draw win in Melbourne. Hurkacz hit more than 50 winners and converted on 5 of 7 break point opportunities in the three-hour match.
Did you know:
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With a greater focus from the players on the performance of their equipment, the team has set a new record in tournament stringing each year, with 5,813 re-strings coming in 2019 alone.
"Yonex is a great tennis brand, much-loved around the world, and a perfect fit for the Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific,” Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said.
Follow #TeamYonex all tournament long:
Women
[3] Naomi Osaka (JPN) EZONE 98 | POLYTOUR STRIKE 125 def. Marie Bouzkova, 6-2, 6-4
Sorana Cirstea (ROU) – EZONE 100 def. [32] Barbara Strycova, 6-2, 7-6
Caroline Garcia (FRA) – VCORE 100 | POLYTOUR STRIKE 125 def. Madison Brengle, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2
[23] Dayana Yastremska (UKR) – VCORE PRO 100 | POLYTOUR STRIKE 125 / POLYTOUR DRIVE 125 | FUSIONREV3 | Melbourne Collection def. Kaja Juvan, 6-1, 6-1
Fiona Ferro (FRA) – VCORE 100 def. Alison Van Uytvanck, 6-2, 6-1
Tamara Zidansek (SLO) – VCORE PRO 100 | POLYTOUR PRO 125 def. Han Na-Iae, 6-3, 6-3
[6] Belinda Bencic (SUI) – EZONE 100 | POLYTOUR PRO 125 def. Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, 6-3, 7-5
[19] Donna Vekic (CRO) – VCORE 100 def. Maria Sharapova, 6-3, 6-4
Timea Babos (HUN) – VCORE 100
[17] Angelique Kerber (GER) – VCORE 100 | POLYTOUR FIRE 120 def. Elisabetta Cocciaretto, 6-2, 6-2
Jessica Pegula (USA) – EZONE 98
Laura Siegemund (GER) – EZONE 100 | POLYTOUR STRIKE 125 def. CoCo Vandeweghe (USA), 6-1, 6-4
[Q] Harriet Dart (GBR) – VCORE 100 | POLYTOUR PRO 125 / REXIS 130 def. Misaki Doi, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6
[Q] Nao Hibino (JPN) – VCORE 100 | POLYTOUR STRIKE 125 def. Peng Shuai, 4-6, 7-6, 6-3
Men
[23] Nick Kyrgios (AUS) – EZONE 98 | POLYTOUR PRO 120 def. Lorenzo Sonego, 6-2, 7-6, 7-6
Jaume Munar (ESP) – EZONE 100 | POLYTOUR PRO 125 def. Hugo Gaston, 7-5, 5-7, 6-0, 6-3
[15] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) – VCORE PRO 97 | Melbourne Collection def. Damir Dzumhur, 7-5, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4
Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) – VCORE PRO 97 def. Cameron Norrie, 7-5, 3-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4
Ricardas Berankis (LTU) – VCORE PRO 97 | POLYTOUR STRIKE 125 | Melbourne Collection def. Roberto Carballes Baena, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) – EZONE 98 | POLYTOUR PRO 130 / POLYTOUR PRO 125 def. [13] Denis Shapovalov (CAN), 6-3, 6-7, 6-1, 7-6
Hubert Hurkacz (POL) – VCORE PRO 97 | POLYTOUR STRIKE 125 | ECLIPSION3 | Melbourne Collection def. Dennis Novak, 6-7, 1-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4
Michael Mmoh (USA) – VCORE 98 def. Pablo Andujar, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4
Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) – VCORE 98 | POLYTOUR SPIN 125 | FUSIONREV3
[Q] Alejandro Tabilo (CHI) – VCORE 98 def. Daniel Elahi Galan, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4
