The organizer of the Australian Open says the organization deeply regrets the impact that the Novak Djokovic saga has had on players competing in the first grand slam of the tennis season.
Djokovic arrived back in Serbia’s capital Belgrade on Monday after his deportation from Australia ended the world No. 1 tennis player’s hopes of playing in the Australian Open.
The Australian Open started well for second-seeded Daniil Medvedev, one of the biggest potential beneficiaries of Novak Djokovic’s deportation.
Aiming to be the first man in the Open era to win his second major title on his next Grand Slam appearance, Medvedev had a 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (3) win over Henri Laaksonen on Tuesday in the first round at Melbourne Park.
He next faces mercurial Australian Nick Kyrgios, who beat qualifier Liam Broady 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the first round.
Britain’s Andy Murray marked his return to the Australian Open – where in 2019 he thought he might have to retire – with a tense five-set win over Georgian 21st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Murray cruised to the first set in 23 minutes but any hopes of a routine win disappeared as Basilashvili recovered.
Momentum swung both ways before the wildcard won 6-1 3-6 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-4.
Murray was one of four Britons to win on Tuesday, with Emma Raducanu, Heather Watson and Dan Evans also progressing.
The 34-year-old, a five-time beaten finalist in Melbourne, will play Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel in the second round on Thursday.
Britain’s Emma Raducanu showed quality and resilience to beat American Sloane Stephens in three sets for a spot in the Australian Open second round.
On her senior debut in Melbourne, the US Open champion won 6-0 2-6 6-1 against Stephens, another previous winner in New York.
Raducanu, seeded 17th, was sharp as she wrapped up the first set in 17 minutes before errors crept into her game.
Stephens took advantage to level but Raducanu reasserted control to win.
The 19-year-old will face Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic in the second round on Thursday.
Day three at the Australian Open 2022 will see Rafael Nadal, Ashleigh Barty and defending champion Naomi Osaka compete in the second round of the singles.
Meanwhile, a number of British players are in action as the doubles gets underway in Melbourne.
Defending champion Naomi Osaka will need to improve on her first round performance level if she’s to make it through to round three unscathed.
The 24-year-old won 6-3 6-3 against Camila Osorio last time out, but showed moments of worry when facing break points, and was broken when serving for the opening set first time around.
Osaka now faces the more experienced Madison Brengle, who will look to exploit any weaknesses in her game. The American progressed past Dayana Yastremska in the first round.
A fired up Rafael Nadal conceded just seven games as he swept Marcos Giron aside in their first round encounter.
With no Novak Djokovic to worry about, the Spaniard will be looking at this tournament as his greatest opportunity to win the Australian Open for only the second time.
He goes up against Yannick Hanfmann, with the German through to the second round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
Hanfmann will come into this match full of confidence, after knocking out Adelaide 2 champion Thanasi Kokkinakis .