The smiles of Fils and Cazaux. Surprised at the start by the Czech Jiri Vesely, Arthur Fils gave up the first round, before seeing the Czech in physical pain, calling on the doctor (who took his blood pressure), before passing away. The young Frenchman won 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 to sign his 2nd Grand Slam victory. In the 2nd round, he will meet the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor (n°28). Arthur Cazaux (21 years old; 122nd in the world) made his invitation bear fruit. He won his first Grand Slam victory 6-2, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 against Serbian Laslo Djere (33rd). This is also only his second victory (in 7 matches) on the main circuit. The first dating from May 2021 (in Geneva, against Mannarino). In the 2nd round, he will face the Dane Holger Rune (n°8) or the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka. Océane Dodin with a remarkable 6-4, 6-3 success against the Chinese Lin Zhu (n°29) and Clara Burel 6-4, 6-1 against the Serbian Aleksandra Krunic completed the collection of blue smiles.
The Dutchman Griekspoor (n°28) led 2 sets to 0 and, at the end of the suspense, overthrew the Russian Roman Safiullin 2-6, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, 7-5 in 3:50. His next opponent? Arthur Son. The Frenchman won their only face-to-face on the circuit. In the 1st round of the last US Open. 7-5 in the 5th set.
Sloane Stephens who won her first match in Melbourne since 2019. That year, the American, former world No. 5, winner of the 2017 US Open, reached the round of 16. Before experiencing 4 consecutive eliminations in the 1st round of the Australian Open. She ended the series by winning 6-3, 6-1 against the Australian Olivia Gadecki (121st, guest). She will be opposed to Daria Kasatkina (n°14) who overcame the pitfall of the first round by dominating the American Peyton Stearns (48th) 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 and will accompany the phenomenon Mirra Andreeva (16 years 261 days , who became the youngest player since Coco Gauff to win a match in each Grand Slam tournament).
“I haven’t played well yet in this tournament, I want to beat everyone.” Signed Iga Swiatek who had to work hard to dismiss the American Sofia Kenin 7-6 (7/2), 6-2. After a look at her stats sheet, she summarized: 30 winning shots, 21 unforced errors, 65% of points scored on her first serve, 4 break points converted out of 9, the Pole admitted: “This is not “A first round at the first Grand Slam of the year is never easy, it’s difficult to find the rhythm.” The Pole (whose best result in Melbourne is a semi-final in 2022) for whom Ashleigh Barty is a source of inspiration hopes to shine in the tournament dear to the Australian. In the 2nd round, the Pole who has just signed a 17th consecutive victory will face the American Danielle Collins who dismissed the German Angelique Kerber 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.
The Chilean Nicolas Jarry (n°18), eliminated 7-5 in the 5th set on Monday by the young Italian Flavio Cobolli (from qualifying), will have to pay a fine of 40,000 dollars, according to the Punto de break website. The reason ? A ball fell out of his shorts during a rally. It was the second time that this had happened and referee James Keothavong decided to take the point away before applying the sanction provided for by the regulations.
The top 5 most beautiful points of the first day, Sunday.
Alcaraz-Gasquet, Rybakina-Pliskova and Zverev-Koepfer on the program. Injured and absent in 2023, Carlos Alcaraz (20 years old) will make his comeback in Melbourne (his best result, a 3rd round achieved in 2022. Facing him, Richard Gasquet (37 years old). During their only face-to-face , in 2021 in Umag, the young Spaniard easily won 6-2, 6-2. Starting at 9 a.m. Rod Laver Arena: Rybakina (Kaz, 3)-Pliskova (Rtc); Gasquet (Fra)-Alcaraz (Esp, 2). Margareth Court Arena: Zverev (Germany, 6)-Koepfer (Germany); Marino (Can)-Pegula (USA, 5). John Cain Arena: Martic (Cro)-Tomljanovic (Aus).
