Today’s major results
Here is a look at the major results from today’s singles match-ups.
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First set to Greek
The first set goes to world No.6 Stefanos Tsitsipas in 25 minutes.
It was a clinical 6-1 win, with commentator Dylan Alcott suggesting Gilles Simon was struggling to see the ball in the Rod Laver Arena lights.
“Simon will need to do some analysing at the sit down of this set for sure and try to figure out a path forward,” added Jim Courier.
“He can serve bigger than he’s serving too. He can unleash it. He just won’t make as many. But got to try something different.”
Tsitsipas closes in on first set
Stefanos Tsitsipas is racing through the first set and leads 5-0.
“Gilles Simon makes his living forcing players to makes his living forcing players to make bad choices and making unforced errors,” commentator Jim Courier said.
“Tsitsipas isn’t doing that. Only two unforced errors six winners and it’s Simon giving up the freebies.”
Simon has just managed to hold serve, so the scores are now 5-1 with Tsitsipas to serve for the first set.
ICYMI: Thompson retires hurt
Unfortunately Aussie Jordan Thompson was forced to retire hurt in his opening round match of the Australian Open.
Kokkinakis on board
Thanasi Kokkinakis has added to the list of Aussies through to the second round.
The Aussie wildcard, in his first major tournament since the 2019 US Open, was clinical over Korean Kwon Soon-Woo, winning 6-4, 6-1, 6-1.
He claimed six break points, landed 65 per cent of his first serves and won 83 per cent of those first serve points.
At one point, Kokkinakis claimed nine games in a row.
Ranked 267th in the world, the 24-year-old from Adelaide has reached the second round of the Australian Open for the third time in his career.
He has never progressed beyond the second round, but is likely to play Stefanos Tsitsipas in the next round, should the Greek knock off Frenchman Gilles Simon tonight.
Stosur into second round
Sam Stosur has claimed a 6-4, 6-4 win over fellow Aussie wilcard Destanee Aiava.
Aiava, 20, was no match for the veteran, despite neither player gaining any dominance on serve.
Across 20 games, the pair shared 10 break points between them.
Stosur will next play Jessica Pegula, who today upset 12th seed Victoria Azarenka.
Tsitsipas draws first blood
World No.6 Stefanos Tsitsipas has taken a 2-0 lead against Gilles Simon early in their contest on Rod Laver Arena.
“I’m not sure if he injured himself he’s taking extra time Gilles Simon after this point,” commentator Jim Courier said midway through the second service game.
“Hobbling a little bit, may be his knee or his ankle.”
VIDEO: Barty highlights
Preview: Tsitsipas v Simon
World No.6 Stefanos Tsitsipas will be expected to get the job done tonight over veteran Gilles Simon.
The 22-year-old from Athens, seeded fifth in this tournament without Roger Federer here, has twiced reached the semi finals of a major including here at Melbourne Park in 2019.
He boasts five ATP singles titles to his name.
Gilles Simon, however, is at the other end of his career.
The 36-year-old Frenchman, ranked 66th in the world, has been competing in majors consistently for 15 years.
His best effort at an Australian Open came in 2009 when he reached the quarter-finals, but he has not progressed beyond the second round in the past three years.
One would envisage Tsitsipas overcoming Simon pretty comfortably this evening.
Stefanos Tsitsipas is preparing for his first-round match.Credit:Getty Images
Thompson retires hurt
Jordan Thompson’s Australian Open campaign is over.
The Sydneysider retired hurt in his match against Norwegian 24th seed Casper Ruud.
Ruud was leading the contest 6-3, 6-3, 2-1.
Post-match interview
Former Aussie player Jelena Dokic interviews Ash Barty on Nine after her clinical 6-0, 6-0 win.
Ash, congratulations. What a great performance. It must have felt great to be back on RLA tonight.
This is what it’s about to be playing out here tonight. To play in Australia and in front of you guys it’s an honour and privilege and we’re extremely grateful to be here.
Now, I always got a little bit nervous, little bit anxious when I would get out here but you managed to fit in right - you managed to fit in right - you managed to fit right in after even 12 months of not playing. How do you manage to do that?
Yeah, I still feel it, for sure. You know, I try and come out here and stick to my processes, stick to my routines and just have fun. That’s what it’s about, coming out here and enjoying it. It’s impossible not to enjoy a night session on this beautiful court. Really happy to be out here and get another chance in a couple of days’ time.
You haven’t played in 12 months. You spent a lot of time with your family. You love to be with your family. With your dogs as well. We saw you at the footy. You have won golf tournaments but did you miss tennis?
Absolutely. Every single day. Every single day. The competitor in me missed, you know, what this is all about ... and enjoying the thrill of the fight. The bonus, we have crowds, we have people to enjoy it with us. That’s the special part of this week.
One last one. I won’t keep you much longer. You are going to get a lot of attention these next few weeks. What are you going to do to try to get away from it or, perhaps, pop out and play a bit of golf?
If I have time I would love to play golf. The courses here are beautiful. I snuck out for a round a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully I’m very busy over the next few weeks and busy out on this court. If not don’t worry I will be enjoying the golf course too.
Congratulations. We look forward to seeing you in the next round.
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2021-02-09 09:34:00Z
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