The rain disrupted the progress of the first day of the Australian Open: for six hours, play continued only on the three main courts, with matches being interrupted on the other courts.
Due to the incessant rain, the meeting between Gauthier Onclin and the American Reilly Opelkainitially scheduled for around 3 a.m. in Belgium, has therefore been postponed. The 23-year-old, from qualifying, is expected to make his Australian Open debut around 10h10 this Sunday.
Earlier today, Zheng5th player in the world and Olympic champion, had to battle in the first set to defeat the Romanian 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 Anca Todoni (WTA 111). Zheng missed three set points at 5-4 then had to save three at 5-6.
The young Russian Mirra Andreeva (17 years old), 15th player in the world, did not delay her entry into the running: the semi-finalist of the last Roland-Garros dismissed the Czech 6-3, 6-3 Maria Bouzkova (WTA 43) in 1 hour and 34 minutes. For her part, the Croatian Donna Vekic (WTA 19), Olympic vice-champion, qualified at the expense of the Frenchwoman Diane Parry (WTA 66) 6-4, 6-4.
In the men’s draw, the Norwegian Casper Ruudworld No.6, defeated the Spaniard Jaume Munar (ATP 62) in five sets, 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 after a 3h21 fight. The Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori (ATP 76), 35, came back two sets behind to beat the Brazilian Thiago Monteiro (ATP 105) 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3. False start also for Arthur Fils (ATP 21), who played against the Finn Otto Virtanen (ATP 93) after losing the first set, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 6-4.
