Five things we have learnt from day one of the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic is expected to play despite fitness concerns, Frances Tiafoe is given a loud scare and US star Jessica Pegula takes just 59 minutes to win… five things from day one of the Australian Open

  • Nick Kyrgios pulled out of the Australian Open with a knee injury on Monday
  • Novak Djokovic is still dealing with a hamstring injury but is expected to play
  • US star Jessica Pegula cruised through the first round in just 59 minutes 
  • Emma Raducanu will play Coco Gauff in the second round in Melbourne 

The Australian Open had barely begun by the time it lost one of its protagonists, as Nick Kyrgios withdrew from the tournament early on Monday morning.

The 27-year-old sensationally withdrew from the tournament because of a knee injury, just a day before he was due to play his first-round match against Roman Safiullin. With Kyrgios out of the picture, concerns continue to linger over the fitness of Novak Djokovic, who cancelled a practice session for the second day in a row.

On the court, meanwhile, top seeds Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek both advanced, while Emma Raducanu will face No7 seed Coco Gauff in the second round after beating Tamara Korpatsch in straight sets on her return from injury.

Fellow Brit Cameron Norrie is also in the second round after beating French wildcard Luca van Assche without dropping a set, while Frances Tiafoe’s extravagant kit turned heads. 

Here, Sportsmail takes a look at five things we have learnt from the opening day of the Australian Open. 

Nick Kyrgios pulled out of the Australian Open because of a knee injury

Kyle Edmund’s recovery continues

Kyle Edmund declared that he was happy with his progress in his run of tournaments in Australia, despite losing 6-4 6-0 6-2 to top young Italian Jannik Sinner. 

Former semi-finalist Edmund, who was out for nearly two years with severe knee problems, said: ‘I think my level has been better here and this was probably my best match today, even though the score doesn’t show it’. 

As part of his long climb back he now plans to train for a month before playing Challengers and main ATP Tour events in America, leading into the European clay court season.

Kyle Edmund lost in straight sets against Italy’s Jannik Sinner on Monday in Melbourne

Jessica Pegula fires ominous warning to her rivals 

American number one Jessica Pegula, whose father owns the Buffalo Bills NFL team, became the first player of either sex through to the second round when she hammered Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian 6-0 6-1 in just 59 minutes.

Jessica Pegula took just 59 minutes to beat Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian 6-0 6-1

Novak Djokovic’s injury concerns linger 

Novak Djokovic’s hamstring remains the subject of speculation. He was due to be practising in the early evening slot but cancelled it, the second day running a public training stint had been called off. 

He has been running a busy schedule on and off the court and it is still expected that he will take his place in the first round on Tuesday.

Novak Djokovic’s hamstring continues to be a source of concern after the nine-time Australian Open winner pulled out of a practice session on Monday

Teenage Czech has bright future ahead despite loss

Brenda Fruhvirtova, the younger of two sisters, is a name to remember. 

The 15 year-old from the Czech Republic came through the qualifying event but found the experienced Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus too strong. She lost 7-5 6-2 in an hours and 20 minutes in the first round proper.

Teenage star Brenda Fruhvirtova made a big impression despite being knocked out in the first round by Belarus’ Aliaksandra Sasnovich

Frances Tafoe through to the second round with a bang 

There was a bizarre interruption on the new Kia Arena, when Frances Tiafoe was into a fourth set against German Daniel Altmaier. 

An alarming pop-cum-bang caused gasps in the crowd – but it turned out to be nothing more than a giant tennis ball (often used for collecting autographs) exploding in a fan’s lap.

Frances Tiafoe stole the show on Monday with his extravagantly colourful kit 




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