James Duckworth, James McCabe win first-round Aus Open matches
Fans on a small outside court were shocked to see a global sports star in an Aussie wildcard’s box as he claimed a milestone win.
Tennis
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tennis. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sonny Bill Williams is about as big as it gets when it comes to having a hype man in your corner at the Australian Open.
The All Blacks legend was a shock inclusion in James McCabe’s box as the Aussie wildcard claimed his first ATP tour victory to reach the second round at Melbourne Park on Monday.
McCabe celebrated towards the rugby icon in jubilation after he claimed a 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win over Spanish rising star Martin Landaluce as fellow wildcard Tristan Schoolkate also enjoyed a maiden Australian Open victory.
Schoolkate beat Japan’s Taro Daniel at a grand slam for the second time in four months as he overcame a first-set defeat to seize control in a 6-7, 7-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory.
The reprisal of his breakthrough win in the US Open first round put the 23-year-old West Australian in the crosshairs of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, with Wednesday to pose the biggest challenge of his career to date.
Aleksandar Vukic fought for more than three hours to overcome Bosnian Damir Dzumhur 6-7, 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a rollercoaster clash, while veteran James Duckworth delivered the most clinical performance of his 12 Australian Open campaigns to oust Switzerland’s Dominic Stricker 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.
Duckworth will face Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena, who upset Chilean No. 23 seed Alejandro Tabilo on Monday.
McCabe, 21, revealed Williams was a close family friend who had also supported him at Melbourne Park last year before cutting a prominent figure in his box against Landaluce.
“Proud of my guy. God willing it’s just the start,” Williams wrote on X after McCabe’s breakthrough victory.
The Philippine-born Sydneysider said Williams had helped him maintain his focus when his 19-year-old opponent followed the tried and tested method of calling for a medical time-out after he had gone down two sets to love.
“We’re family friends, I wanted him to come down – he came down last year as well and he came to Adelaide (last week),” McCabe said.
“Sonny is like a brother to me. Sonny being Sonny, he has all of his experience being one of the best players to step on the field … his words of wisdom and everything is just very (fortunate for me).
“Being at the top of rugby, he has a lot of experience with different pressures … I’m just grateful for the words of advice he gives me.”
McCabe, ranked No. 258 in the world, profited from his second wildcard in a row to claim his first victory on the senior men’s tour, but faced a daunting task on Wednesday in a rematch against rising star Alex Michelsen.
He took a set off Michelsen in their first-round clash last year, but the American looked in ominous touch on Monday as he brought down former Melbourne Park finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in four sets.
Duckworth was unsure whether his win was the best of his career at the Australian Open, but the 32-year-old was excited at the prospect of finally winning through the second round at his fifth attempt.
“It was a great match. I felt like I served and returned really well, and then I just thought I did a really good job mentally of staying composed and thinking clearly throughout the match,” Duckworth said.
“Something I have been working on the last couple of weeks. So I was really happy with the way I was able to do that today.”
Originally published as James Duckworth, James McCabe win first-round Aus Open matches
Legend exposes worrying Nick Kyrgios flaw
Nick Kyrgios is back in action at the Australian Open, but one tennis legend has called out a big issue surrounding his return.
Kokkinakis climbs off the canvas as Kyrgios makes Aus Open return
Thanasi Kokkinakis is still battling injury, but is pushing on, meanwhile his doubles partner Nick Kyrgios is about to make his Melbourne Park return. FOLLOW DAY TWO ACTION LIVE.