Andrey Rublev survives a tough 5 setter, Jannik Sinner wins opener at Australian Open 2024

Andrey Rublev felt like his Australian Open first round match against Thiago Seyboth Wild on Sunday was going to end just like his friend Daniil Medvedev’s did at the French Open last year against the clean hitting Brazilian. Russia's Andrey Rublev celebrates winning against Brazil's Thiago Seyboth Wild during their men's singles match on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne(AFP) After wasting four match points in the 12th game of the fifth set, Rublev fell behind 5 2 in the match tiebreaker before regaining his composure, winning eight of the next nine points and clinching a 7 5, 6 4, 3 6, 4 6, 7 6 (6) victory.

Amazon Sale season is here! Splurge and save now! Click here He slumped to the ground, then got up quickly, embraced Seyboth Wild, who was making his debut in the Australian Open main draw, and roared triumphantly. Seyboth Wild upset major winner Medvedev in the first round at Roland Garros last year and Rublev admitted he felt the momentum going the same way before he decided to relax and go for broke.

“For sure, I will not forget this one,” the fifth seeded Rublev said. “Thiago is a super dangerous player. Super talented. He’s hitting so hard, so clean. “Fifth set, I had so many opportunities. I thought for sure we’re going to see the same as Daniil in Roland Garros.” Rublev, who won a title in Hong Kong to start the year, is a nine time quarterfinalist at Grand Slams and hoping to go better this time.

Jannik Sinner had the Carota Boys in the crowd and red white and green flags flying in the opening match on Rod Laver Arena, helping Italy’s Davis Cup star feel right at home. Sinner had a 6 4, 7 5, 6 3 first round win over No. 59 ranked Botic van de Zandschulp, needing 2 1/2 hours to complete his first win since a memorable November when he twice beat Novak Djokovic and won the Davis Cup.

“Means a lot to me to start off with a win,” fourth seeded Sinner said in a post match TV interview as a half dozen fans dressed in carrot costumes cheered from the stands. “Physically, I feel good. I’m here in good shape. I think I can be happy for today.” In other results, No. 12 Taylor Fritz needed a medical timeout to get his left ankle taped in the second set before he recovered to beat Facundo Diaz Acosta 4 6, 6 3, 3 6, 6 2, 6 4 in a seesawing four hour match.

Marin Cilic, the runner up in 2018, was beaten 6 1, 2 6, 6 2, 7 5 by Fabian Marozsan. The season’s first major is being played over 15 days — the first round is split over three days — and starting on a Sunday for the time. Women’s eighth seed Maria Sakkari admitted her relief after she beat Nao Hibino of Japan 6 4, 6 1, her first Grand Slam win since last year’s Australian Open.

“I lost three first rounds in my last three Grand Slams,” she said. “For me, it was a very difficult match today emotionally. I’m happy I managed to do the job right and play a good second set.” Also advancing were 2021 U.S. Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, who beat 17 year old Sara Bejlek 7 6 (5), 6 2 and No.

9 Barbora Krejcikova, who rallied from a set and a break down to beat Mai Hontama 2 6, 6 4, 6 3. Two 16 year old players advanced to the second round: Brenda Fruhvirtova recorded her first Grand Slam win, overcoming Anna Bogdan 2 6, 6 4, 6 3 and Alina Korneeva — the Australian Open junior champion last year — who rallied to beat Sara Sorribes Tormo 4 6, 6 3, 6 2.

Another Russian qualifier, Maria Timofeeva had a 6 2, 6 4 win over Alize Cornet, who was appearing in a women's record 68th consecutive Grand Slam event. Timofeeva will next face 2018 champion Caroline Wozniacki, who in her first Australian Open since becoming a mom advanced when 20th seeded Magda Linette retired while trailing 6 2, 2 0.

Amanda Anisimova continued her comeback from a career break with a 6 3, 6 4 win over No. 13 seeded Liudmila Samsonova. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Share this article Share Via Copy Link Australian Open Andrey Rublev Jannik Sinner.