Australian Open Day 1 results: How the Aussie players went

James Pavey

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Australian Open Day 1 results: How the Aussie players went image

The first day of 14 at Melbourne Park saw 14 Australian players feature in singles action.

With the largest Australian singles contingent in Melbourne in 19 years, the 2019 tournament has rocketed to a great start for the home favourites, with eight Aussies winning through to the second round.

Sadly, the road ended for six others, but it wasn't through a lack of trying.

As the world's best continue to descend on Melbourne Park, day two will see eight Aussies hit the court, with Nick Kyrgios and Daria Gavrilova among the locals to take on the opening Slam of the year.

MORE: Tomic slams Hewitt in staggering rant | Murray to decide on potential career-ending surgery

Ahead of the second day of action, Sporting News checks out how the local hopes performed on the first day of the 2019 Australian Open.

ALEX DE MINAUR HITS THE GROUND RUNNING

Alex de Minaur def. Joao Sousa 6-4 7-5 6-4

Fresh off his maiden ATP title victory in Sydney, de Minaur shrugged off scheduling dramas and a busy week to stroll past his Portuguese opponent.

The 6-4 7-5 6-4 win sets the teenager up for a second-round match against Switzerland's Henri Laaksonen, who has never made it past the second round at a Grand Slam.


 

MATT EBDEN FIGHTS TO WIN IN FOUR

Matt Ebden def. Jan-Lennard Struff 1-6 6-4 6-3 6-4

After losing the first set 1-6 to German Struff, Ebden had every reason to sweat. However, the 31-year-old managed to level proceedings after winning the second set 6-4, before sweeping past to take the match in four.

Rafa awaits in the second round.


 

JORDAN THOMPSON DOWNS SPANISH VETERAN

Jordan Thompson def. Feliciano Lopez 6-1 7-6 [0] 6-3

Three easy sets against Lopez was exactly what Thompson needed to kick off his 2019 campaign.

A second round appearance in 2014 remains Thompson's best in Melbourne, and he'll need to fight past Italian veteran and Sydney finalist Andreas Seppi if he wants to reach new heights.


 

JOHN MILLMAN DOES DELBONIS IN FOUR

John Millman def. Federico Delbonis 6-3 3-6 7-6 [3] 6-2

It was typical Millman - fight and fight, and fight again.

These days, Millman is increasingly on the positive end of results, and after sitting at one set-apiece with Argentine Delbonis, a tie break, followed by a cruisy final set, saw the Queenslander book a second-round clash with Murray conqueror Roberto Bautista Agut.


 

BERNARD TOMIC TARGETS HEWITT AFTER LOSS TO CILIC

Marin Cilic def. Bernard Tomic 6-2 6-4 7-6 [3]

Up against sixth seed Cilic, it was always going to be a tough ask for Tomic.

However, after losing in straight sets, Tomic's Lleyton Hewitt blow-up was as unexpected as it was confusing. What was he trying to achieve?


 

MARC POLMANS LETS TWO-SET LEAD SLIP

Denis Kudla def. Marc Polmans 5-7 1-6 6-2 6-3 6-2

Having won the first two sets relatively untroubled, wildcard Polmans looked handy to jump into the second round.

However, world No.62 Kudla took control in quick time, conceding just seven games across the next three sets to leave Polmans scratching his head.

JASON KUBLER OUSTED BY ITALIAN STALWART

Thomas Fabbiano def. Jason Kubler 6-4 7-6 [1] 2-6 6-3

Kubler conceded the first two sets, albeit in fighting fashion, as he looked to stay alive.

Winning the third 6-2 kept Fabbiano guessing, but the final set proved the difference between the two players as Kubler came up short.

JAMES DUCKWORTH PUSHES NADAL OVER THREE TOUGH SETS

Rafael Nadal def. James Duckworth 6-4 6-3 7-5

The scoreline didn't reflect how Duckworth troubled the 2009 champion.

Serving and volleying against Nadal is always a risk, but Duckworth made the 17-time Grand Slam champion work hard for his win, even if it was in straight sets. A dozey reporter kept Nadal's day going after he earlier had the crowd in stitches after the match.

ASH BARTY EASES PAST KUMKHUM

Ash Barty def. Luksika Kumkhum 6-2 6-2

Losing the Sydney final didn't deter Barty's focus on a strong Melbourne run, and she began in fine fashion against Thailand's Kumkhum.

China's Yang Wafan - who defeated Aussie Ellen Perez - is Barty's next test as she looks to better her third round exits in 2017 and 2018.


 

ZOE HIVES GRABS FIRST EVER GRAND SLAM MATCH WIN

Zoe Hives def. Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-1 6-2

The 22-year-old made headlines in Hobart as she emerged as a solid battler, but blowing Mattek-Sands out of the water in Melbourne proved much more.

Hives has now set up a clash with former top 10 player Caroline Garcia, who was ominous against countrywoman Jessika Ponchet.


 

KIM BIRRELL STARTS OFF IN STYLE

Kim Birrell def. Paula Badosa Gibert 6-4 6-2

Wildcard Birrell made the most of her chances against Spain's Badosa Gibert to win in straight sets.

Her second round match with Donna Vekic could see the winner take on 2016 champion Angelique Kerber in the third round.


 

ASTRA SHARMA WINS BATTLE OF THE AUSSIES

Astra Sharma def. Priscilla Hon 7-5 4-6 6-1

The battle of the local hopes went the way of Sharma, who will play Greece's Maria Sakkari in the second round.

The winner of the match could play Ash Barty in the third round.


 

ELLEN PEREZ ELIMINATED BY WANG YAFAN

Wang Yafan def. Ellen Perez 6-4 6-0

Wildcard Perez was outclassed by her Chinese opponent in two sets.

Perez narrowly lost the first 6-4, but Wang lifted her game to bagel the second.

James Pavey

James Pavey Photo