Defending champion Jannik Sinner fought back from a first-set stumble to defeat wild card Tristan Schoolkate at the Australian Open, while Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis were forced to pull out of their doubles match through injury.
Sinner was ruffled early on by local hope Schoolkate before recovering his composure 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 going into the contest and had not lost a set in 15 matches since his defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in Beijing last October.
“It’s always tough to play against a player I have never played before, he was playing really good at the start, serving really well,” said top seed Sinner.
“I have to be very pleased with my performance, 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 hardcourt Grand Slam titles in Melbourne and New York last year is American world No 46 Marcos Giron.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis retire from doubles match
Nick Kyrgios (right) and Thanasi Kokkinakis were forced to retire from their Australian Open doubles match
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis’ bid to repeat their Australian Open doubles triumph of 2022 ended in retirement when the latter was unable to continue their first-round tie.
Kokkinakis was advised not to play the match against compatriots James Duckworth and Aleks Vukic after aggravating an arm injury in his five-set loss in the singles to British No 1 Jack Draper on Wednesday.
“I’m going to need to do a serious procedure now probably. I’ve got to speak to as many experts as I can,” Kokkinakis told reporters after retiring while trailing 7-5 3-2.
“I can’t serve, 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.
“Just wanted to get on court again with the big fella. Such great memories. We had a big crowd, we knew, waiting for us.”
Kokkinakis injury ended the ‘Special K’ doubles reunion
Kyrgios suggested after his opening-round loss to Scot Jacob Fearnley on Monday that he might never play singles again at his home Grand Slam, but he is open to continuing doubles with his friend.
“I think we, on full potential and full health, could do some damage in the doubles always. Obviously I felt like 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 high-level singles anymore. Doubles is a bit easier on the body. I think we can still play amazing doubles.”
Fritz to donate prize money to LA wildfires
Taylor Fritz will donate £67,000 to relief efforts for the LA wildfires
American Taylor Fritz is donating his first-round prize money to help people affected by the California wildfires.
The fourth seed raced through to round three with a 6-2 6-1 6-0 thumping of Chile’s Cristian Garin and then revealed that he will give 132,000 Australian dollars (approximately £67,000) to relief efforts.
“I just want everyone to stay safe, it’s just insane what happened,” said Fritz, who used to live in Los Angeles and has family and friends affected.
“I wanted to say something after my first-round match but I’m going to be donating my first-round prize money to LA wildfire relief funds. It’s really the least I could do.
“Southern California’s my home and LA was my home for a very long time so I’m just doing what I can do to help. I would encourage anyone else who can donate to help too because a lot of people really need help.
“I have friends impacted. I had some family have to evacuate. The house that my brothers grew up in burnt down.”
Fritz reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open last summer and he has been ruthless so far in Melbourne, losing just eight games in six sets.
He next faces 38-year-old Gael Monfils, who continued his excellent start to the season with a 7-5 6-3 7-6 (3) victory over Daniel Altmaier.
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 I have done what I want in a way. If I do more, it’s a bonus. I’m happy. As I always say from day one, for me the most important is the health. Tennis has given me everything I can even imagine, so I am already blessed.”
Fonseca’s run comes to end
Promising Brazilian 18-year-old Joao Fonseca was knocked out by Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-7 (8-6) 6-3 6-1 3-6 6-3, having marked his Grand Slam main draw debut with a straight-sets win over ninth seed Andrey Rublev.
Home favourite Alex de Minaur has been untroubled so far and he eased to a 6-2 6-4 6-3 win over American Tristan Boyer, whose home town has been badly affected by the wildfires, while Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic knocked out 18th seed Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets.
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