Australian showman Nick Kyrgios, Britain’s teenage sensation Emma Raducanu and Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas reached the second round of the Australian Open 2022 on the back of contrasting wins at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.
Kyrgios goes from sick-bed to 2nd round
Kyrgios put on a show in a 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 win over Briton Liam Broady on Tuesday to reach the Australian Open second round.
Kyrgios matches are box office gold but have dwindled through the pandemic, and there was danger home fans would miss the Australian at Melbourne Park this year after he tested positive in the leadup. On his way out of the arena, he took a swig of beer from a cup offered by a fan. Covid-19 be damned.
“I served … well today,” said Kyrgios with obscenity as fans roared in agreement.
“I don’t know what I have done to this crowd as you guys are a zoo now. I am super happy to be here again.”
Tsitsipas makes a confident start with a straight-sets win
Stefanos Tsitsipas put on a clinical show against familiar opponent Mikael Ymer of Sweden during a 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 victory in the opening round of his Australian Open campaign on Tuesday.
Tsitsipas said he considered himself one of the best on hardcourts with nine-time Australian Open winner and world number one Novak Djokovic deported from the country over his COVID-19 vaccination status and no longer in the mix.
“I have a great net game, and most of the players don’t have the ability to come to the net the way I do and to cover the court and win a lot of points with volleys,” the Greek told reporters.
Raducanu survives Stephens test
Raducanu cleared a dangerous first-round hurdle at the Australian Open, seeing off experienced American Sloane Stephens 6-0, 2-6, 6-1 in a topsy-turvy contest on Tuesday. Raducanu will be heavily fancied to get past 99th ranked Danka Kovinic of Montenegro in the second round.
“It was a tough match-up for a first-round, her athleticism is right up there, so I’m just happy to get through,” Raducanu, who was under the eye of new coach Torben Beltz, said on court.
“In the first set I played some great tennis with very few errors. Of course there was going to be some adversity and I was happy to regroup in the third set.
“I don’t think the score reflected the match really as I was really feeling it.”