The Australian Open is underway for 2025 and Day 3 features six Aussies hoping for a win in singles.
Headlining the local contingent is men's No. 8 seed Alex De Minaur who faces Botic van de Zandschulp on centre court, before Olivia Gadecki follows in the night session.
Follow the fortunes of all the Australians here.
Rod Laver Arena, night session (from 7:00pm)
Botic van de Zandschulp def. by. Alex de Minaur (AUS) [8]
6-1, 7-5, 6-4
It was a clinical display from the Demon, who raced to a one-set lead after just 26 minutes. His opponent, van de Zandschulp, rallied and improved in the second, but was unable to convert a number of important break point chances throughout the match, winning just one of his five opportunities, to De Minaur's five from 10.
De Minaur will face American qualifier Tristan Boyer in the second round on Thursday.
READ: Full recap of De Minuar's win
Veronika Kudermetova def. Olivia Gadecki (AUS)
6-1, 6-1
It wasn't Gadecki's night, coming up against the former top 10 player Kudermetova. Landing just 51% of her first serves to Kudermetova's 76%, Gadecki struggled to get anything going on her serve, winning only 50% of those points on her first serve, while she allowed her opponent to take six of eight break point chances on the night.
Margaret Court Arena, day session (from 11:30am)
Elena Rybakina [6] def. Emerson Jones (AUS) (WC)
6-1, 6-1
Elena Rybakina, a finalist here in 2023, was far too strong for Emerson Jones, needing just 53 minutes to topple the 16-year-old who'll no doubt take huge benefit out of her first Grand Slam appearance.
"I think it was a great experience for me. I haven't played on that court before, and I haven't played that high of a ranked player before, so I think it was pretty exciting, yeah," Jones said after the loss.
"The biggest lesson was to probably work on my serve, get that better. Now I know the level, so that's probably the highest level that anyone could get. I think now, knowing the level, I think it's exciting that we get to go back and work on all the things that I need to improve."
John Cain Arena, twilight session (not before 7:00pm)
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) [25] def. by. Corentin Moutet
4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
After entering the Australian Open with high hopes, an injury-hampered Alexei Popyrin has slumped to a first-round defeat at the hands of gritty Frenchman Corentin Moutet.
Popyrin won the first set but battled a left hip/lower back complaint and a cramping hamstring midway through the second set, leading No. 25 seed to be run ragged by Moutet in the loss at John Cain Arena.
It was a hammer blow for Popyrin, who was seeded for the first time and attempting to kick on from his bumper 2024, which included claiming a Masters 1000 title in Montreal and brilliantly upsetting the great Novak Djokovic to reach the fourth round at the US Open.
-AAP
Kia Arena, day session (from 11:00am):
Eva Lys def. Kimberley Birrell (AUS) (Q)
6-2, 6-2
It wasn't to be for Kimberley Birrell, who went down in straight sets to lucky loser Eva Lys, who only found out five minutes before the match that she would be facing the Aussie qualifier.
"I was sticking around, [but] I had my flight back booked for tomorrow morning!," Lys said. "It's tough to not know who you're playing, so it was also not easy for her, preparing for someone else."
Birrell said it was disappointing to lose in the first round, but said she take a lot of confidence out of her Aussie summer.
"I've had so many awesome matches in Brissie. I think that's some of the best tennis that I have ever played. I definitely focus and remind myself of those moments and take the belief moving forward into the rest of the season," she said.
Court 3, day session (from 11:00am)
Rinky Hijikata (AUS) def. by Mitchell Krueger
6-4, 6-4, 6-3
It wasn't to be for Hijikata, who falls at the first round hurdle for the second straight year here at Melbourne Park. He struggled to protect his serve, giving up seven breaks of serve during the match, and was only able to break the American three times in return.