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Aus Open Day 1: Kyrgios pulls out, Hijikata, Millman win five-set epics

Nick Kyrgios is out of the Aus Open but the Aussies have turned out the goods with our biggest outsider claiming an absolute stunner.

5 min read
January 17, 2023 - 6:36AM
Don't mess with Rafa's racquets.
Don't mess with Rafa's racquets.

The opening day of the 2023 Australian Open has been eventful after Nick Kyrgios’ shock decision to withdraw from the event.

But just because Australia’s highest ranked male withdrew doesn’t mean it’s hopeless for the hosts as our stars stood up in an impressive display.

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In the men’s side, Jason Kubler, John Millman and debutant Rinky Hijikata won into the second round.

Kubler’s maiden Australian Open was comparatively easy with a straight sets result, while Millman and Hijikata pulled off epic five-setters.

From Millman, it was a trademark performance, winning a gruelling, backs-against-the-wall stunner against Switzerland’s Marc-Andrea Huesler.

But it was Hijikata’s night as he claimed his first grand slam victory in his second match at a major.

Rinky Hijikata has pulled off an epic comeback. Photo by Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images
Rinky Hijikata has pulled off an epic comeback. Photo by Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images

The World No. 169’s one grand slam appearance saw him take a set off Rafael Nadal at last years’ US Open.

But in his maiden Australian Open performance, Hijjikata has come back from two-sets down to claim a 4-6 4-6 6-3 7-6 6-3 win over German Yannick Hanfmann to make the second round of the tournament.

The crowd was right behind him, going nuts throughout and cheering the 21-year-old’s name after the epic come-from-behind.

However, it doesn’t get any easier as his next match will be third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. Millman will also play seventh seed Daniil Medvedev.

On the women’s side of the draw, Storm Sanders and Talia Gibson were first round casualties but Ash Barty’s protege Olivia Gadecki claimed a straight sets win over Polina Kudermetova.

The tournament’s big guns mainly stayed intact as only women’s 25th seed Marie Bouzkova, 28th seed Amanda Anisimova and men’s 21 seed Borna Coric fell on the first day.

The likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas, Rafael Nadal, Mevedev, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff all won through to the second round.

10.17pm – Unknown Aussie wins over the nation

Australian Open fans have found a new favourite after the lowest ranked wildcard for the tournament.

Rinky Hijikata is ranked No. 169 and had just one grand slam match under his belt, an impressive performance where he took a set off Rafael Nadal at last years’ US Open.

But in his maiden Australian Open performance, Hijjikata has come back from two-sets down to claim a 4-6 4-6 6-3 7-6 6-3 win over German Yannick Hanfmann to make the second round of the tournament.

A vocal crowd went mad for the 21-year-old, cheering for him for the entire four-hour-plus affair.

After Hanfmann’s final shot went long, Hijikata fell to the ground in relief as though he had won the whole thing.

Hijikata has won $330,533 in his career so far but his Australian Open windfall will already go to $158,850 from this event just by making the second round, setting him up for the year.

However, it doesn’t get any easier as his next match will be third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, although likely not on court 8.

8.20pm – Aussie veteran does it again

John Millman is into the second round of the Australia Open after winning a trademark gutsy five-set epic over Switzerland’s Marc-Andrea Huesler.

It was another backs against the wall win for Millman, coming from behind to claim the win 6-7 7-5 6-7 6-2 6-3 as he outlasted his 26-year-old rival.

Millman was only handed a wildcard after slipping to world No. 140.

The Aussie veteran is in his ninth Australian Open and six straight, having been as high as No. 33.

He had an injury-riddled season in 2022, winning only nine of 26 matches and dropping as low as 160.

But the crowd was right behind the 33-year-old.

6.10pm – Aussie Kubler wins through

Aussie Jason Kubler is through to the second round after a classy 6-4 6-4 6-4 win over Argentina's Sebastain Baez.

It’s the first time Kubler has reached the second round of the Australian Open and the World No. 84 will be guaranteed his highest ever career ranking.

4pm – Kyrgios out with injury

In a nightmare for tournament organisers, Nick Kyrgios has pulled out with injury just a day before he was set to play his first round match.

It means Australia enters its home grand slam without its top-ranked male or female players in Kyrgios and Ajla Tomljanovic, who also withdrew with injury on the eve of the tournament.

Kyrgios said he had been feeling discomfort in his knee for the last fortnight and he “did not pull up great” from his exhibition match against Novak Djokovic on Friday.

An MRI showed a small tear in his lateral meniscus and a cyst. He will have arthroscopic surgery on his knee and hopes to return to the court at Indian Wells in March.

“I’m devastated obviously, it’s my home tournament,” Kyrgios said.

The Aus Open won’t be the same withouth Kyrgios. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)
The Aus Open won’t be the same withouth Kyrgios. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

3pm – Ballboy takes Nadal’s racquet

There were bizarre scenes during Rafael Nadal’s first round match against Jack Draper when his racquet suddenly went missing during a change of ends.

Nadal could be heard saying: “I need the racquet back, ballboy take my racquet.”

The ballkid appeared to have mistakenly take the racquet Nadal was using away to be restrung.

“That’s a big mistake,” commentator John Fitzgerald said on Channel 9.

Nadal’s racquet was eventually retrieved and he claimed a four set win over Draper, prevailing 7-5 2-6 6-4 6-1.

12.40pm — Aussie wildcard into the second round

Olivia Gadecki is the first Australian through to the second round of the Australian Open after defeating Polina Kudermetova 7-5, 6-1.

It’s Gadecki’s first ever Grand Slam win and will see her take on Marta Kostyuk in the second round.

The 20-year-old is being guided by Ash Barty during the 2023 campaign and she revealed Barty sent her a congratulatory text message after the victory.

“I actually can’t believe it,” the 20-year-old said.

“I mean, wow. I’m speechless. Such an amazing crowd. Home slam, my first ever grand slam. A girl can only dream,”

She will now face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in the second round.

Gadecki almost doubled her career prize money of $175,000 with her first-round win, which earnt her $158,000.

Australian Olivia Gadecki defeated Polina Kudermetova to progress to the second round. Picture: David Caird
Australian Olivia Gadecki defeated Polina Kudermetova to progress to the second round. Picture: David Caird
Olivia hugs her mother Natalia Gadecki after the match. Picture: David Caird
Olivia hugs her mother Natalia Gadecki after the match. Picture: David Caird

12.30pm — Star in tears after stunning Open upset

Amanda Anisimova has become the first seeded player to be knocked out of the 2023 Australian Open.

The 28th seeded Anisimova fell in straight sets to Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, 6-3, 6-4.

Before the match officially finished the American was in tears as her hopes of advancing slipped through her fingers.

End of the line, Amanda. (Photo by Paul CROCK / AFP)
End of the line, Amanda. (Photo by Paul CROCK / AFP)
Read related topics:Nick Kyrgios

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open/live-australian-open-day-1-scores-results-schedule/news-story/2928cc775c48acf20d8c7599efe42d22