Australian Open: Jannik Sinner fights back as Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis withdraw from doubles | Tennis news
Defending champion Jannik Sinner bounced back from a first-set setback to beat wild card Tristan Schoolkate at the Australian Open, while Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis were forced to withdraw from their doubles match through injury.
Sinner was surprised early on by local hope Schoolkata before he recovered to reach the third round with a 4-6 6-4 6-1 6-3 win.
World No. 1 Sinner had won 30 of his last 31 matches entering the competition and had not lost a set in 15 matches since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in Beijing last October.
“It’s always difficult to play against a player I’ve never played before, he played really well early on, served really well,” said top seed Sinner.
“I have to be very happy with my performance, I never take anything for granted and I’m really happy to be in the next round. I can improve, yes, but I’ll take it.”
Next up for Sinner as he looks to build on his hard court Grand Slam titles in Melbourne and New York last year is the American world number 46. Marcos Giron.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis retire from doubles play
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis’ bid to repeat their doubles triumph at the 2022 Australian Open ended in abandonment as the latter was unable to resume his first-round match.
Kokkinakis has been advised not to play against compatriots James Duckworth and Aleks Vukic after aggravating a hand injury in a five-set singles defeat to British No. 1 Jack Draper on Wednesday.
“Now I’m probably going to have to have a serious procedure. I have to talk to as many experts as I can,” Kokkinakis told reporters after retiring as he trailed 7-5 3-2.
“I can’t serve, I can’t hit a high forehand. I’m in a lot of pain. I wanted to see if I was somewhat competitive, even without a serve.
“I just wanted to get on the field with the big guy again. Such great memories. We had a big crowd, we knew, waiting for us.”
Kyrgios proposed after his first-round loss to Scot Jacob Fearnley on Monday that he may never again play singles at his home Grand Slambut he is open to continue dubbing with his friend.
“I think with full potential and full health, we could always do some damage in doubles. I obviously felt the crowd tonight was ready to erupt from the get-go,” Kyrgios said.
“For me personally, I couldn’t see myself playing more than probably this year at a high level in singles. Doubles is a little easier on the body. I think we can still play great doubles.”
Fritz will donate the prize money to the fires in LA
American Taylor Fritz is donating his first round prize money to help people affected by the wildfires in California.
The fourth seed advanced to the third round with a 6-2 6-1 6-0 win over Chile’s Cristian Garin, then revealed he will give A$132,000 (approximately £67,000) in aid.
“I just want everyone to stay safe, it’s just crazy what happened,” said Fritz, who used to live in Los Angeles and his family and friends were affected.
“I wanted to say something after the first round match, but I will be donating my first round prize money to the LA fire relief funds. It’s really the least I could do.
“Southern California is my home and LA has been my home for a very long time so I’m just doing what I can to help. I would encourage anyone else who can donate to help too because a lot of people really need help.
“I have friends affected. I had to evacuate part of the family. The house where my brothers grew up burned down.”
Fritz reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open last summer and has been relentless in Melbourne so far, dropping just eight games in six sets.
He faces the 38-year-old next Gael Monfilswho continued his excellent start to the season by beating Daniel Altmaier 7-5 6-3 7-6 (3).
Monfils became the oldest winner of an ATP Tour title in Auckland last weekend and feels he has nothing left to prove.
“I can finish now,” he said. “I think in a way I did what I wanted to do. If I do more, it’s a bonus. I’m happy. As I always say from day one, the most important thing for me is health. Tennis has given me everything I can even imagine, so I’m already blessed.”
Fonseca’s streak is coming to an end
Promising Brazilian 18-year-old Joao Fonseca was knocked out by the Italians Lorenzo Sonego 6-7 (8-6) 6-3 6-1 3-6 6-3, who marked his Grand Slam main draw debut with a straight set victory over ninth seed Andrey Rublev.
Local favourite Alex de Minaur so far he has had no problems and easily defeated 6-2 6-4 6-3 the American Tristan Boyer, whose hometown was badly affected by forest fires, while the Serbian Miomir Kecmanović knocked out 18th seed Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets.
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