BRISBANE:
Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka launched their Australian Open preparations with straight-sets wins on Tuesday on the Brisbane Worldwide however Nick Kyrgios misplaced on his return from damage.
Former world primary Djokovic, who’s chasing a document twenty fifth Grand Slam crown in January in Melbourne, eased to a 6-3, 6-3 victory over wildcard Rinky Hijikata.
The 37-year-old Serb broke Hijikata as soon as within the first set and twice within the second for a cushty 74-minute win.
Djokovic, now ranked seven on the planet, was all enterprise towards the younger Australian and at all times appeared in management as he arrange a second-round conflict towards fellow veteran Gael Monfils.
“To begin the brand new season with a win is clearly crucial,” mentioned Djokovic, who’s pursuing an unprecedented eleventh Australian Open title.
“However Hijikata was actually good tonight and he made me work for it.”
Australian firebrand Kyrgios misplaced in three tight units in his first singles match since June 2023.
Kyrgios went down 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/3) to Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in nearly two and a half hours as serve dominated.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios, 29, is making his comeback following wrist reconstruction and different accidents over the previous couple of years.
Forward of the Australian Open beginning on January 12, big-serving Mpetshi Perricard mentioned Kyrgios had proven sufficient to counsel that his comeback could be successful.
Kyrgios performed and gained within the doubles with Djokovic on Monday.
“Enjoying Nick right here wasn’t a very good match-up for me,” the 21-year-old Mpetshi Perricard mentioned, requested about enjoying Kyrgios in entrance of his residence crowd.
“He did some good issues, he performed with confidence.”
The Frenchman, who has risen from 205 on the planet initially of 2024 to his present rating of 31, fired down 36 aces.
Girls’s world primary Sabalenka kickstarted her bid to win the Australian Open for a 3rd consecutive time with a straight-forward win after a sluggish begin.
The Belarusian appeared bothered by the excessive humidity on Pat Rafter Enviornment in Brisbane, significantly throughout an error-strewn first set towards Renata Zarazua.
However after breaking Mexico’s Zarazua at 5-4, the 26-year-old surged by means of the second set to wrap up the match 6-4, 6-0 in 65 minutes.
“The primary match is at all times a tough one,” Sabalenka mentioned.
“It was a tough begin for me however I am glad that I closed it out within the first set, and within the second set I felt like no matter I attempted to do it might work for me.
“So I am actually completely satisfied for the primary win of the season.”
Sabalenka is bidding to be the primary girl since Martina Hingis in 1997-99 to win three Australian Opens in succession.
She’s going to play Yulia Putintseva subsequent after the Kazakh’s 6-2, 7-5 win over American Mccartney Kessler.