Australian Open – Men’s singles – 1st round – Zverev was hot, Rune did not drag

Zverev, winning return

Alexander Zverev beat Juan Pablo Varillas 4-6, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4

It was his first Grand Slam match since his terrible injury in the French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal last June. It’s not yet great Alexander Zverev, very far from it, but this victory will do him a world of good. Led a set to nothing then two sets to one when he had yet broken the first, he hung on, holding his face-off in the last two sets to crack his opponent. This success could be anecdotal but, in the context of his return, it means a lot and Zverev was also very emotional at the end of the meeting.

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Rune launches its season

Holger Rune bat Filip Krajinovic 6-2, 6-3, 6-4

After his misstep at the start of the year in Adelaide against Yoshihito Nishioka, Holger Rune started his season victoriously in Melbourne where he largely dominated Serbian Filip Krajinovic on Tuesday 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in just over 2 hours.

The 19-year-old Danish prodigy, winner of the Rolex Paris Masters at the end of last year, was expected, of course. And he did not disappoint by delivering a straightforward and above all very aggressive match, with a whopping 39 winning shots. Rune was broken twice, of course, but it was more precisely breaks, while he had made the difference in the 1st and 3rd sets.

In summary, very clean work for the protege of Patrick Mouratoglou, who thus opens his counter in Melbourne where he lost in the first round last year.

Rublev softens the blow against Thiem

Andrey Rublev bat Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4, 6-2

It was THE announced shock of this 1st men’s round and it came to an end. Andrey Rublev was much too strong for Dominic Thiem who rolled 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in 2:10 without knowing lost his serve once and hitting 33 winning shots, in the night from Monday to Tuesday, in Melbourne.

The Russian, seeded number 5, had not yet won a match in 2023 after his entry defeats in the two Adelaide tournaments, against Roberto Bautista Agut and Thanasi Kokkinakis. But we have to believe that Thiem inspires him since he won a fifth consecutive victory against the finalist of the 2020 edition.

Rublev smothers shock against Thiem

Fritz had to tighten the game

Taylor Fritz beat Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5

Another strong head in contention on the night of Monday to Tuesday: that of Taylor Fritz (N.8), who however had to work to beat Nikoloz Basilashvili, 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in 2h24 on the John Cain Arena.

Victim of a dangerous relaxation at the start of the 3rd set, the American had to rely on his big serve (32 aces!) to “put down” the Georgian’s rebellion and finally make the difference at the end of the 4th set .

Fritz – Basilashvili: The highlights of their 1st round

Dimitrov’s awakening

Grigor Dimitrov beat Aslan Karatsev 7-6(3), 7-5, 6-2

When Grigor Dimitrov arrives at a tournament, it’s a bit of a surprise bag: you never know what to expect. But there, it was good Grigor. In a duel of former semi-finalists of the tournament, the Bulgarian clearly took the measure of Aslan Karatsev 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-2 in 2h19 and without having lost his service. He will face Serbian Laslo Djere in the second round.

Dimitrov extinguishes Karatsev from tournament entry: The highlights of their 1st round

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