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Australian Open day one: 2020 champion Sofia Kenin crashes out

Our Aussie World No. 1 Ash Barty claimed a crushing win in her opening round and she has one less former champion to worry about.

James Matthey and Andrew McMurtry
11 min read
January 18, 2022 - 12:06AM
Nick Kyrgios set Alize Cornet straight. Photo: William WEST / AFP
Nick Kyrgios set Alize Cornet straight. Photo: William WEST / AFP

It’s been a mixed day for Australia at the Australian Open while a handful and seeds crashed out on day one.

Australia went 3-3 for the day as Ash Barty claimed a near perfect win, Alexsandar Vukic knocked out 30th seed Lloyd Harris and John Millman accounted for Feliciano Lopez.

But the news wasn’t so good for Alja Tomljanovic, who crashed out 6-4 6-0 to eight seed Paula Badosa, Thanasi Kokkinakis, who was blindsided by German Yannick Hanfmann and James Duckworth bowed out in a five-set thriller.

But while it wasn’t the perfect day for the Aussies, it was a much worse day for 2020 champion Sofia Kenin.

Sofia Kenin is out of the Australian Open. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Sofia Kenin is out of the Australian Open. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The 23-year-old American was the latest big name to fall in the opening round, and she’s set for a brutal fall from grace.

Kenin is set to fall from World No. 13 to World No. 91 according to the WTA live rankings.

Kenin was beaten 7-6 7-5 by countrywoman Madison Keys, who won the Adelaide International title last week.

It’s been a horror fall from the heights of 2020, where she won the Aussie Open, made the final of the French Open.

Since then, Kenin has made the fourth round in the 2020 US, second round in both the Australian and Wimbledon last year and fourth round in the French.

But her French Open Final loss in 2020 was also her last WTA Final.

But Kenin wasn’t the only seeded star on the scrap heap.

17-year-old tennis darling Coco Gauff was after a shocking 6-4 6-2 thrashing at the hands of world No. 110 Qiang Wang.

Qiang, who hadn’t tasted victory since last years’ French Open last June after time away from the sport, suffered first round losses in Melbourne and Adelaide in the lead up to the Australian Open.

But Gauff, who pushed World No. 1 Ash Barty in Adelaide before making the semi-finals in the second week of the Adelaide matches, was no match for the 30-year-old Chinese star.

Results

Rod Laver Arena

From 11am: Maria Sakkari (5) defeated Tatjana Maria 7-6 6-4

Naomi Osaka (13) defeated Camila Osorio 6-3 6-3

Not before 2pm: Rafael Nadal (6) defeated Marcos Giron 6-1 6-4 6-2

From 7pm: Ash Barty (AUS) (1) defeated Lesia Tsurenko 6-0 6-1

Alexander Zverev (3) defeated Daniel Altmaier 7-6 6-1 7-6

Margaret Court Arena

From 11am: Elina Svitolina (15) defeated Fiona Ferro 6-1 7-6

Matteo Berrettini (7) defeated Brandon Nakashima 4-6 6-2 7-6 6-3

Qiang Wang defeated Coco Gauff (18) 6-4 6-2

From 7pm: John Millman (AUS) vs Feliciano Lopez 6-1 6-3 4-6 7-5

Paula Badosa (8) defeated Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) 6-4 6-0

Other Aussies: Adrian Mannarino defeated James Duckworth (AUS) 6-4 2-6 3-6 6-2 6-1

Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) defeated 30-Lloyd Harris 4-6 6-3 7-5 7-6

Yannick Hanfmann defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) 6-2 6-3 6-2

Millman caps mixed day for Australia

Aussie John Millman has won his way into the second round where he comes up against young gun 3rd seed Alexander Zverev after a 6-1 6-3 4-6 7-5 win over Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez.

Millman didn’t have it all his own way but had the crowd right behind him and he battled his way to a trademark gutsy victory.

Lopez sent down 26 aces to six but Millman earned 21 break points, converting six of them in the tough four setter.

It leaves Australia 3-2 for the day after crushing wins for Ash Barty and an upset for Aleksandar Vukic, while James Duckworth and Thanasi Kokkinakis crashed out.

Barty domination is utter madness

Ash Barty was on fire. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Ash Barty was on fire. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Ash Barty’s Australian Open campaign is underway against qualifier Lesia Tsurenko.

The two-time grand slam champion got a warm reception from her home crowd as she aims to end the Aussie drought at the major, as no Australian woman has won the tournament since Chris O’Neil in 1978.

While she has a tricky draw ahead of her, Barty is hoping to make a statement and add to her 2019 French Open and 2021 Wimbledon crowns.

Barty got off to the perfect start, breaking in the second service game to go up 2-0.

While she struggled in her second service game, giving away two break points, she held, and then raced through the first set to win 6-0 in an utter domination in just 24 minutes.

Incredibly, Barty won last year’s Australian Open first round match 6-0 6-0 against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic.

But Tsurenko is no slouch either, having been ranked 23rd in the world in 2019 and being a former US Open quarterfinalist.

However, Barty breezed through the second set as well securing her first match point at 5-0 in the second.

While she couldn’t get her second straight first round Australian Open double bagel, Barty then served for the match, closing it out 6-0 6-1.

‘Ouch’: Aussie fave crashes to earth

The pro-Thanasi Kokkinakis crowd was taken out of the equation Picture: David Caird
The pro-Thanasi Kokkinakis crowd was taken out of the equation Picture: David Caird

Thanasi Kokkinakis was clearly the fan favourite in his match with Yannick Hanfmann but the Aussie star was wiped off the court.

Having won his first ATP title on Saturday after years of injuries, hopes were high for Kokkinakis to at least make the second round and face Rafael Nadal.

But it was not to be as the Aussie was thrashed in three sets.

Kokkinakis was looking to build off the big crowd who were right behind him but the German took the air out of the room with a brilliant performance.

A 6-2 6-3 6-2 victory was Hanfmann’s first at grand slam level and left the vocal crowd stunned as the homegrown hero was left out.

Teen sensation KOed in major upset

17-year-old tennis darling Coco Gauff has been ousted in the first round at Melbourne Park after a shocking 6-4 6-2 thrashing at the hands of world No. 110 Qiang Wang.

Qiang, who hadn’t tasted victory since last years’ French Open last June after time away from the sport, suffered first round losses in Melbourne and Adelaide in the lead up to the Australian Open.

But Gauff, who pushed World No. 1 Ash Barty in Adelaide before making the semi-finals in the second week of the Adelaide matches, was no match for the 30-year-old Chinese star.

Gauff, the 18th seed, is the only under-18 year old in the WTA Top 200.

Qiang, who is coached by Aussie tennis legend Pat Cash, gave her a thumbs up after the win.

The tennis star said: “I just try to do what he tells me. I did good, right?”

Gauff made an uncharacteristic 40 unforced errors for the match.

Coco Gauff was trounced by Qiang Wang. Photo by MICHAEL ERREY / AFP
Coco Gauff was trounced by Qiang Wang. Photo by MICHAEL ERREY / AFP

Rafa crushes opening round opponent

As the only one of the Big Three at Melbourne Park this year, Rafael Nadal has got off to the perfect start.

A 6-1 6-4 6-2 of American Marcos Giron was just what we expect from the King of Clay as he ruthlessly blitzed past his unfancied opponent.

But it’s not all be Rafa’s way lately, as he described the physical toll of his

“The symptoms haven’t been nice. I have spent four days in bed and then three more days destroyed physically,” he told Nine’s Jim Courier after the win.

“After that I started to feel a little bit better, I had a negative PCR after the ninth or 10th day and then I had one or two practices at home.”

Nadal has also been more injury prone as he has aged and having played just one tournament since the French Open last year before coming to Australia.

“It has been a very challenging [few] months,” he said.

“Not only the last six months have been tough, obviously out of the competition, but since the last lockdown in 2020. Everyone knows that I have an important injury in my foot at the beginning of my career. After those two months being at home, when I came back, it was very challenging.

“It’s honestly been very tough in moments with a lot of doubts, but here I am and I can’t be happier to be back in Australia.”

It sets up a potential second round match up with Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis, which would hopefully have a prime time slot if it came to pass.

Top 10 superstar pulls out of Aus Open

Tunisian tennis star Ons Jabeur has withdrawn from the Australian Open just hours before her first round match against Spain’s Nuria Parrizas-Diaz.

The No. 9 seed pulled out due to a back injury, the same injury that forced her to retire during the Sydney International quarter-final last week.

“Sadly, I had to withdraw from my first round of the Australian Open today,” Jabeur said in a statement.

“I have injured my back in Sydney last week. I tried everything to be ready and thought I

could have recovered in time to play here. Unfortunately, the pain is still very present and playing in such conditions could jeopardise my whole season.

“I will now rest and treat myself to come back as soon as possible.

“Thank you so much to all my fans for all of their help and support! Hoping to be 100 per cent for the next one.”

Jabeur has been replaced in the draw by lucky loser Irina Bara.

Ons Jabeur of Tunisia. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
Ons Jabeur of Tunisia. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

The withdrawal of Jabeur is actually potentially good for Aussie World No. 1 Ash Barty.

Jabeur and Barty could have potentially played in the quarterfinals of the tournament as she comes in at the bottom side of Barty’s quarter of the bracket.

It’s also good news for US 21st seed Jessica Pegula, who unlikely to face another seeded player until the fourth round, where she’s on a collision course with 5th seed Maria Sakkari.

Jabeur wasn’t the only one to withdraw from the women’s draw either as 27-year-old Chinese star Saisai Zheng has also withdrawn with a wrist injury.

It will see lucky loser Nao Hibino enter the draw in her place.

Aussie stuns with huge upset

Aleksandar Vukic caused a huge boilover when the Aussie wildcard beat South African Lloyd Harris in four sets.

World No. 144 Vukic lost the first set but rebounded to beat Harris, the world No. 33 who entered the tournament as the 30th seed, 4-6 6-3 7-5 7-6 (7-3). It’s easily the biggest win of Vukic’s career as he celebrated a maiden grand slam victory.

“This is totally a dream, especially on this court, with all these guys,” he said.

“I came here as a kid and was watching the Aussies play here, so to play myself and actually get the win – I can’t put it into words, man.

“They were with me every point and I knew I wasn’t alone and I couldn’t have done it without them. This is a dream.

“I’m hoping (this is the start of great things for me). I’m taking it day in, day out, but I’m going to treasure this moment for the rest of my life.”

The 25-year-old wildcard will next meet Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot in what shapes as a huge opportunity for one of them to advance to the round of 32.

Sleeveless star makes his mark

Teenager Carlos Alcaraz channelled his inner Rafael Nadal by taking to court seven in a sleeveless tank-top and brushing aside qualifier Alejandro Tabilo 6-2 6-2 6-3.

The 18-year-old, who made the quarter-finals of last year’s US Open, impressed observers. Tennis writer Tumaini Carayol tweeted: “Intensity and movement are just off the charts, as is his return of serve, shotmaking off both wings and delicate touches right now.”

D’Arcy Maine of ESPN wrote: “Alcaraz with the sleeveless vintage Nadal energy. I don’t hate it.”

Carlos Alcaraz looked the goods in round one. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Carlos Alcaraz looked the goods in round one. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Tennis sign as Aussie as it gets

Fried crocodile for lunch, anyone?

Early results roll in

Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic is into the second round after beating Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic 6-4 6-3, Italian Camila Giorgi toppled Anastasia Potapova in straight sets and Yulia Putintseva was upset 6-3 6-3 by Harmony Tan.

Fifteenth seed Elina Svitolina was also an early winner, defeating Fiona Ferro 6-1 7-6, American young gun Amanda Anisimova came back from a set down to beat Dutch qualifier Arianne Hartono and fifth seed Maria Sakkari overcame Tatjana Maria 6-4 7-6 in a hard-fought affair that lasted one hour and 46 minutes.

Kyrgios packs on PDA in Melbourne, reacts to Novak call

Nick Kyrgios was cosying up with new flame Costeen Hatzi as he practised at Melbourne Park on Sunday.

The Aussie tennis star, who revealed last week he had caught Covid-19, is confident he’ll be right to take on Brit Liam Broady in their first round clash on Tuesday.

Kyrgios is dating Hatzi after a bitter break-up with ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari, and was happy to show his affection while having a hit yesterday.

True love. Photo by Michael Klein.
True love. Photo by Michael Klein.
Kyrgios isn’t afraid of some PDA. Photo by Michael Klein.
Kyrgios isn’t afraid of some PDA. Photo by Michael Klein.

Kyrgios has been vocal in his support of Djokovic and was clearly unimpressed when it was announced he would be deported, tweeting one emoji to sum up his feelings.

The Canberra product also questioned a take by French tennis star Alize Cornet, who suggested Djokovic was abandoned by his fellow players.

Scene set for day one

Finally some tennis. The Australian Open begins on Monday after a chaotic and controversial build-up dominated by the visa saga that engulfed Novak Djokovic.

The unvaccinated Serbian will not be at Melbourne Park to defend his title after his last-gasp court bid to stay in the country failed on the eve of the first grand slam of the year.

The 34-year-old flew out of Australia on Sunday night, his dreams of becoming the first man to win 21 majors over, at least for now.

Djokovic will continue to cast a dark shadow over the showpiece, but there will be relief from players that they can finally get on with the business of winning tennis matches.

Prime among them in Monday’s first round will be Rafael Nadal, who begins his title charge against the 66th-ranked American Marcos Giron. The Spaniard is also going after a 21st Grand Slam crown.

After injury and contracting Covid-19 in December, the 35-year-old is just happy to be back on court in Melbourne, where crowds have been capped at 50 per cent because of the pandemic.

“When you’re coming back from injuries and from a period of time that you are not going on the tour, you need to accept things are not going to be perfect,” said Nadal.

Also playing on day one in the men’s draw are third seed Alexander Zverev and seventh seed Matteo Berrettini. There will be no Roger Federer this year, with the Swiss great battling injury.

One defending champion may not be there in Djokovic, but the other is in the form of Naomi Osaka. The Japanese player, who is seeded 13th after taking an extended break from tennis at the back end of last year, starts her campaign against Camila Osorio of Colombia.

Rafael Nadal is aiming for his first Australian Open win since 2009. (Photo by Andy Cheung / AFP)
Rafael Nadal is aiming for his first Australian Open win since 2009. (Photo by Andy Cheung / AFP)

After a turbulent 2021 during which the four-time major winner said she had suffered depression, Osaka is determined to have more fun this year.

“There’s a different feeling I get when I come to Australia,” said Osaka, who also won the Australian Open in 2019.

“Everyone is really warm and welcoming. I just remember all the tough battles that I’ve had here. It’s definitely a very positive feeling.”

It remains to be seen if Osaka is firmly back in the groove after her lay-off and she will need to topple world No. 1 Ash Barty if she is to make it a hat-trick in Melbourne.

The 25-year-old Barty is the firm favourite to win her home slam for the first time. She will be under intense pressure from an expectant crowd, but Barty — who won the singles and doubles titles in a warm-up tournament in Adelaide — was playing it characteristically cool.

“Regardless of the number next to my name, that doesn’t change the way we approach it,” said Barty of being the top seed.

“Particularly here in Australia, it’s exciting. I get to play in front of incredible fans, my family, which is amazing.”

Barty starts against Ukrainian qualifier Lesia Tsurenko.

Also in action on Monday are top-10 seeds Barbora Krejcikova, Maria Sakkari and Paula Badosa.

Serena Williams is not in Melbourne because of fitness concerns.

AFP

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open/australian-open-2022-live-scores-updates-ash-barty-news/news-story/39fc22f4af3e5a7567ffb454c2ab963f