Australian Open 2023 LIVE updates: Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, Caroline Garcia hit the court as first round continues
Key posts
- The Aussies in action today
- Ukraine ambassador condemns Russian flag display
- What to watch today
A Russian flag is seen during the first round match between Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia and Kateryna Baindl of Ukraine at the Australian Open.Credit:AP
Vasyl Myroshynchenko tweeted that Tennis Australia should enforce its “neutral flag policy” and ban the Russian flag from being flown by fans in the stands because of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The tournament is allowing Russian and Belarusian players to compete (unlike last year’s Wimbledon) but they cannot compete under their country’s name, and the flags beside their names have been whited out in all TV displays.
However, it was not immediately clear that Russian fans are banned from showing the flag in the audience. At yesterday’s incident on court 14, the Ukrainian and Russian fans involved in the incident said police and security conferred nearby but took no action. The men also put their Russian flag away, but were seen waving it later Monday night in the stands at Rod Laver Arena for Daniil Medevev’s match against American Marcos Giron.
Tournament organisers have been contacted for comment. In Monday’s match, Ukraine’s Baindl defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-7(8), 6-1.
Grieving Kyrgios? Never fear, we have Rinky
Organisers, tennis fans and even the Australian No. 1’s detractors will be feeling the loss of the Australian Open’s enfant terrible Nick Kyrgios today after the star’s shock withdrawal.
But last night, as if to fill the recently inflicted Kyrgios-shaped hole in the tournament, Sydney 21-year-old Rinky Hijikata put on an arena-worthy show.
He lured Aussie spectators into a false sense of disappointment, losing the two sets, before blasting German Yannick Hanfmann and taking the final three sets in spectacular fashion for his first Major win.
There were battle cries, insane winners, a heart-in-throat fourth-set tiebreaker and at the centre of it all, Hijikata leaping, fist-bumping and working up the crowd with a hand cupped to his ear.
By the end of the five-set epic there wasn’t a spare seat in the crowd and the roaring standing ovations from Court 8 sounded more like a 14,500-strong crowd at Rod Laver Arena.
The world No. 169 earned a day off today to prepare for his second-round match against third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Fellow Australian wildcard John Millman made a similarly dramatic start to his Australian Open campaign, trading sets with Marc-Andrea Hüsler before winning the five-set match and earning a spot opposite Daniil Medvedev in the second round.
The Aussies in action today
Alongside Alex de Minaur’s first-round meeting against Taiwanese qualifier Hsu Yu-hsiou tonight, it’s another big day for the cast Australian hopefuls.
The first Australian on court will be 24-year-old wildcard Kimberly Birrell, playing against 31st seed Kaia Kanepi.
On Court 3, Jordan Thompson will play back-to-back with wildcard Alexei Popyrin, who turned heads in Adelaide by beating Felix Auger-Aliassime and making the quarter-final despite the Canadian’s 114 lead in ranking positions.
Mid-afternoon games will include Thanasi Kokkinakis’s attempt to outgun world No. 57 Fabio Fognini.
Aleksandar Vukic is slated to play fellow qualifier Brandon Holt at 4pm AEDT at 1573 Arena.
Chris O’Connell, qualifier Max Purcell and wildcard Jamiee Fourlis also begin their home grand slam campaigns before 22nd seed Alex de Minaur steps on court against qualifier Hsu Yu-hsiou.
Olivia Gadecki, Jason Kubler, Rinky Hijikata and John Millman have advanced to the second round after winning their matches yesterday. Wildcards Storm Hunter and Talia Gibson were knocked out.
Ukraine ambassador condemns Russian flag display
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia has condemned the display of a Russian flag during a match against Ukrainian player Kateryna Baindl on day one of the Australian Open.
A Russian flag is seen during the first round match between Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia and Kateryna Baindl of Ukraine at the Australian Open.Credit:AP
Vasyl Myroshynchenko tweeted that Tennis Australia should enforce its “neutral flag policy” and ban the Russian flag from being flown by fans in the stands because of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The tournament is allowing Russian and Belarusian players to compete (unlike last year’s Wimbledon) but they cannot compete under their country’s name, and the flags beside their names have been whited out in all TV displays.
However, it was not immediately clear that Russian fans are banned from showing the flag in the audience. At yesterday’s incident on court 14, the Ukrainian and Russian fans involved in the incident said police and security conferred nearby but took no action. The men also put their Russian flag away, but were seen waving it later Monday night in the stands at Rod Laver Arena for Daniil Medevev’s match against American Marcos Giron.
Tournament organisers have been contacted for comment. In Monday’s match, Ukraine’s Baindl defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-7(8), 6-1.
What to watch today
Welcome to day two of our live Australian Open coverage as the players at Melbourne Park prepare for more round-one clashes in scorching 36-degree heat.
World No. 5 Aryna Sabalenka is up first at 11am AEDT on Rod Laver Arena off the back of winning her first title in almost two years at the Adelaide International. She’s playing world No. 74 Tereza Martincova.
Former world No. 1 Andy Murray takes on Matteo Berrettini on Rod Laver Arena later this afternoon.
Dominic Thiem also takes on fifth seed Andrey Rublev at 11am before the man who made the winning stroke at the United Cup for Team USA, Taylor Fritz, plays Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Tonight, No. 2 Ons Jabeur plays No. 98 Tamara Zidansek and Novak Djokovic, after his fateful charity match against Nick Kyrgios that helped catalyse the Australian’s decision to withdraw, commences his Australian Open campaign against Roberto Carballés Baena.
At about 7pm, Australia’s greatest hope Alex de Minaur plays his first-round match against qualifier Hsu Yu-hsiou.
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