The day was quiet for Taylor Fritz (4th in the world) and Elena Rybakina (7th) in Melbourne, qualified without difficulty on Tuesday in the 2nd round of the Australian Open, more difficult for Daniil Medvedev (5th) and Emma Navarro (8th) who had to fight not to fall by the wayside prematurely.
– Fritz Costaud, Rune au forceps –
The finalist of the last US Open Taylor Fritz (5th) 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.
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).
Winner of the Masters 1000 in Paris in 2022, Holger Rune (13th) needed five sets to overcome the resistance of the Chinese Zhang Zhizhen (49th), finally defeated 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
In the 2nd round, the Dane will face the Italian Matteo Berrettini (34th), who defeated Briton Cameron Norrie (52nd) in four sets.
Kazakh Elena Rybakina in the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 14, 2025.
WILLIAM WEST – AFP
The finalist of three of the last four editions of the Australian Open, the Russian Daniil Medvedev (5th), won in pain against the Thai Kasidit Samrej (418th and beneficiary of an invitation from the organizers), in five sets 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 and more than three hours of match.
Veteran Gaël Monfils (41st), 38, also emerged victorious in five sets from the 100% French duel against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (30th).
At the start of the evening, the Australian Alex De Minaur (8th), the main hope of the local public after Monday’s elimination of the whimsical Nick Kyrgios, will begin his tournament on the Rod Laver Arena against the Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (84th).
-Also in the evening but on the neighboring court of the Margaret Court Arena, the Russian Andrey Rublev (9th) will have to be wary of the young Brazilian talent Joao Fonseca (112th), winner in December of the ATP NextGen Finals a few days before Rublev was eliminated as soon as he entered the running at the ATP 250 in Hong Kong.
– Rybakina rushes, Navarro sweats while waiting for Paolini –
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.
The qualification of Elena Rybakina (7th) against the young Australian Emerson Jones (16) was much more convincing.
Kazakh Elena Rybakina in the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 14, 2025.
WILLIAM WEST – AFP
The Kazakh won 6-1, 6-1 and spent less than an hour on court.
At the start of the Australian evening, the Italian Jasmine Paolini (4th) will be the last of the main candidates for victory in Melbourne to begin her tournament.
On the Margaret Court Arena, the finalist of Roland-Garros and Wimbledon in 2024 will compete against Chinese qualifier Wei Sijia (117th).
Par Damien GAUDISSART / Melbourne (AFP) / © 2025 AFP
