Taylor Fritz (4th in the world) and Jasmine Paolini (also 4th) easily qualified on Tuesday in Melbourne, the Russian Daniil Medvedev (5th) coming out in five sets while his compatriot Andrey Rublev (9th) suffered the law of the new Brazilian terror Joao Fonseca (112th).
– Fritz strong, Medvedev feverish, Rublev out –
The finalist of the last US Open Taylor Fritz (4th) did not do well against his compatriot Jenson Brooksby, dispatched 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 for his return to the circuit after two years of absence.
“I've been playing really well since the start of the year, I played well at the United Cup (Editor's note: a national team competition won by the United States at the beginning of January)… I don't see any reason not to not be confident”, said Fritz at a press conference, he who dreams of “winning a big title” in 2025.
The American will face Chilean Cristian Garin (150th) in the second round, winner 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 of Croatian Borna Coric (87th).
Fritz joins Jannik Sinner (1st), his tormentor in the US Open final, in the 2nd round, as well as his rivals Alexander Zverev (2nd), Carlos Alcaraz (3rd) and Novak Djokovic (7th).
A stage of the competition that Andrey Rublev will not see, knocked out from the start by the young Brazilian Joao Fonseca (18 years old), winner in December of the ATP Under-21 Finals.
Winner 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), Fonseca signed his fourteenth victory in a row on Tuesday, all tournament categories combined.
“It was my first match in such a big stadium and in the final draw of a Grand Slam, I just took advantage of it” while remaining “concentrated on (his) game,” commented the Brazilian.
Finalist in three of the last four editions of the Australian Open, Daniil Medvedev (5th) almost suffered the same fate as Rublev but ultimately won in five sets and more than three hours of play against the Thai Kasidit Samrej ( 418th and beneficiary of an invitation from the organizers).
“I didn't want to be on the plane tomorrow,” declared the Russian at a press conference, congratulating himself on having remained “solid and focused” after still smashing his racket in frustration against the net and a camera .
Victory in five sets also for the veteran Gaël Monfils (41st), winner at over 38 years of a 100% French duel against the formidable server Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (30th), 17 years his junior.
The Australian Alex De Minaur (8th), the main hope of the local public, took care of his entry into contention on the Rod Laver Arena by winning in three sets against the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (84th): 6-1, 7-5 , 6-4.
-On Wednesday, the ten-time winner in Melbourne Novak Djokovic (7th), the German Alexander Zverev (2nd) and the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz (3rd) will play their 2nd round and will be the main attractions of the day on the men's side.
– Paolini and Rybakina are talking, Navarro is talking –
At the start of the evening, Jasmine Paolini (4th) made short work of the young Chinese qualifier Wei Sijia (117th), dominated 6-0, 6-4 in the first round.
Her next opponent will be the Mexican Renata Zarazua (70th).
After the quick victory of Coco Gauff (3rd) against Sofia Kenin (74th) on Monday, another much closer 100% American derby pitted world number 8 Emma Navarro against her compatriot Peyton Stearns (46th) on Tuesday.
The better ranked of the two finally won 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/5), 7-5. She will face the Chinese Wang Xiyu (94th) in the next round.
The qualification of Elena Rybakina (7th) against the young Australian Emerson Jones (16 years old) was more convincing.
The Kazakh won 6-1, 6-1 and spent less than an hour on court. In the 2nd round, she will face the young 17-year-old American Iva Jovic (191st).
On Wednesday, world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka will open the day at the Rod Laver Arena, for her second round against the Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (54th).
The American Coco Gauff will enter the same court at 7:00 p.m. (08:00 GMT) and will try to advance to the 3rd round against the British Jodie Burrage (173rd).
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