The 2024 Australian Open continued on Day 2 with a total of 12 Aussies in action, new world No. 10 Alex de Minaur headlining those who have earned their spot in the second round of the tournament.
Australians in action
With results and recaps to come.
Rod Laver Arena, night session
Alex de Minaur (AUS) [10] def. Milos Raonic (CAN)
New world No. 10 Alex de Minaur is through to the second round after downing Milos Raonic 6-7(6), 6-3, 2-0*. The pair had won a set each, with the Australian leading 2-0 in the third set before Raonic had to retire due to injury.
Raonic, who boasts one of the most booming serves on tour, was troubling De Minaur with his powerful striking early in the match, hitting nine aces from 21 winners to eventually take the first set in a tiebreak.
De Minaur's first break point didn't come until the 20th game of the match, but from that point on he was in full control over his Canadian opponent who has been long battling injuries.
The 24-year-old will now play Italy's Matteo Arnaldi in the second round.
"First of all, I hope Milos a speedy recovery," De Minaur said after the game. "Its not great to see him like this. He deserves to be healthy and playing incredible tennis that he's done for so many years, so hopefully he's back in no time.
"I was just chasing his serve for the first part of that match. Second set, I told myself to restart, managed to jag a break out of the blue and it kind of changed the momentum."
John Cain Arena, second match
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) def. Marc Polmans (AUS)
Popyrin displayed some dominant tennis against fellow Aussie and wildcard Polmans, taking out his opponent in straight sets 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-2 in two hours and 28 minutes.
Popyrin made it to the third round of the Australian Open here in 2023, with his sights set on a similar trajectory in 2024: "I'm glad I got through in straight sets, I think that's important for the first few rounds," he said.
But it won't be easy. Popyrin will come up against Novak Djokovic in the second round.
John Cain Arena, third match
Magdalena Frech (POL) vs. Daria Saville (AUS)
It wasn't to be for Australian wildcard Daria Saville, who fell to Magdalena Frech 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-5 in a gruelling three-set match on John Cain Arena.
In a match that lasted over three hours, Saville was her own worst enemy hitting 61 unforced errors to Frech's 38. It's now the second time in her past two Australian Opens she has been unable to reach the second round of the tournament.
John Cain Arena, not before 5:00pm
Omar Jasika (AUS) vs. Hubert Hurkacz (POL) [9]
Poland's Hubert Hurkacz proved too strong for Grand Slam debutant Omar Jasika on Monday night, defeating the Aussie qualifier 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-2. Hurkacz, the No. 9 seed, will face Jakub Mensik in the second round, who upset Canadian Denis Shapovalov earlier in the day.
KIA Arena, first match
Storm Hunter (AUS) def. Sara Errani (ITA)
Hunter started the match strongly taking out the first set 6-4, and continued her dominant form to take out the second set 6-3 in one hour and 29 minutes. Errani put up a fight forcing Hunter into 23 unforced errors to Errani's 13.
Crucially for Hunter, this is her biggest breakthrough at the Australian Open as this is the first time she has made the second round from 11 attempts.
"I kind of just really enjoyed it, and then to qualify and win my first round of main draw here at Aussie Open, it's insane. It's an amazing feeling," Hunter explained in a press conference post match.
1573 Arena, first match
Elina Svitolina (UKR) [19] def. Taylah Preston (AUS)
18-year-old wildcard Taylah Preston faced a tough ask in Elina Svitolina but the young Aussie showed some encouraging signs. She broke the No. 19 seed twice in the first set to have the crowd up and about, but the Ukrainian proved too strong, winning 6-2, 6-2.
Court 3, third match
Aleksandar Vukic (AUS) def by. Jordan Thompson (AUS)
It took five sets and more than four hours on Court 3, but Jordan Thompson has won his way through to the second round of the tournament with a thrilling 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 victory over fellow countryman Aleksandar Vukic.
Court 3, fourth match
Rinky Hijikata (AUS) def. by Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)
Heartbreak for Hijikata. The Australia threw everything at Struff out on Court 3 but came up agonisingly short in yet another five set thriller. Struff won the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-7, 7-6.
Court 6, second match
James Duckworth (AUS) def by. Luca van Assche (FRA)
It was a tight tussle for wildcard Duckworth, who exchanged the first four sets with opponent Van Assche, until the Frenchman ran away with the win, taking out the fifth set and the match 6-7(2), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 with three hours and 32 minutes on the clock.