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Second up on RLA is former champion Naomi Osaka in an incredibly high quality all-unseeded clash with France’s Caroline Garcia.
While over at MCA, 2022 finalist Danielle Collins (10) takes on Ukraine’s Daria Snigur.
Japan’s Naomi Osaka practices ahead of the Australian Open. Photograph: Vincent Thian/APShare
Casting ahead to this evening, when Daniel Harris will be in the hotseat, there is a surfeit of high quality action.
From 7pm on Rod Laver Arena Novak Djokovic (7) continues his love affair with Melbourne Park, seeded an unfamiliar seventh in pursuit of his 11th Norman Brookes Challenge Cup. Nishesh Basavareddy, a 19-year-old American wildcard gets a moment in the spotlight.
At the same time on Margaret Court Arena, Carlos Alcaraz (3) begins his bid to pass the quarter final stage at the Australian Open for the first time. Kazakhstan’s Alexander Shevchenko is his first opponent.
But the star power of those two serial winners might not be enough to direct attention away from John Cain Arena. “The people’s court” will be feral for the return of Nick Kyrgios, with the controversial Australian up first against Great Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.
Nick Kyrgios will be the centre of attention from 7pm. Photograph: Ella Ling/REX/ShutterstockShare
If you’re just tuning in, you’ll be pleased to know the weather has been glorious all day in Melbourne. No sign of the wild storms that interrupted day one.
Spectators stay in front of the mist fans to cool off from the hot weather on day two of the Australian Open. Photograph: David Gray/AFP/Getty ImagesShare
I missed out crowd favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis, who has just moved two sets to one up over Roman Safiullin, but the Australian is far from 100% fit.
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Of the matches still on court, Jack Draper (15) is two sets to one down to Mariano Navone, Marta Kostyuk (17) has conceded the first set to Nao Hibino, and Seb Korda (21) is locked at one set all against Lukas Klein.
Jack Draper of Britain plays a backhand return to Mariano Navone of Argentina. Photograph: Manish Swarup/APShare
But the headlines at this early stage of a grand slam are generated by upsets, and there have been a smattering of those.
The highest profile casualty is Stefanos Tsitsipas (11) with the out of form 2023 finalist unfortunate to come up against rising star Alex Michelsen.
Jeļena Ostapenko (16) can also consider herself unlucky that she was drawn against 2020 Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic. The Swiss is a natural top-30 player but returning from maternity leave.
Former champion Victoria Azarenka (21) was another notable early departure.
Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in action during his first round match against Alex Michelsen of the US. Photograph: Kim Kyung-Hoon/ReutersShare
British tennis has had a couple of reasons to cheer with Jodie Burrage winning the first match of the day, and lucky loser Harriet Dart prevailing in a third set tiebreak.
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It’s been a superb day for hosts Australia, with victories to Ajla Tomljanovic and Talia Gibson in the women’s singles, and Jordan Thompson (27), James Duckworth, James McCabe, Tristan Schoolkate, and Aleksandar Vukic, in the men’s.
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The top seeds in action today largely went about their business unscathed, but none of the likely contenders for silverware turned in memorable performances.
In the men’s singles, defending champion Jannik Sinner (1) won his 15th match in a row in Melbourne, and 14th in straight sets, but needed a couple of tiebreaks to overcome Nicolás Jarry. While Frances Tiafoe (17) was taken to five sets by Arthur Rinderknech.
In the women’s singles, Iga Świątek (2) and Coco Gauff (3) both won in straight sets without hitting their strides, while the impressive Jessica Pegula (7) dropped only three games.
Jessica Pegula serves during her first round match at the Australian Open. Photograph: Ng Han Guan/APShare
Updated at 02.20 EST
Jonathan Howcroft
Thanks Joey.
We’re in the evening valley here on day two at Melbourne Park, with the daytime stars already in their ice baths and the evening headliners an hour or so away from hitting the court. This gives us a perfect opportunity to wrap up the day so far and cast ahead to tonight’s action.
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Joey Lynch
But that’s just about enough from me for now. It’s been a pleasure having your company over these past four hours, with some twists, turns and a few upsets to keep you entertained.
I’ll put you back into the capable hands of Jonathan Howcroft for now, with Daniel Harris on deck a little later.
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Updated at 02.03 EST
