Nadal and Barty routine wins, Raducanu given prime time slot – Aus Open overnight round-up

Pat Cash discusses Raducanu's chances at Australian Open

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Rafa Nadal and Ash Barty have already romped to wins today – and Emma Raducanu has been given another prime time slot in a night match in tomorrow’s action. Four Brits won through to the second round yesterday and all will be in action tomorrow with temperatures creeping up to the 30s for the weekend.

Only one man can win lift record 21st Grand Slam – but he doesn’t like lifting weights

Rafa Nadal made hard work of reaching the second round when he needed five match points before seeing off German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann 6-2 6-3 6-4.

In his post-match courtside interview with Channel Nine’s Jim Courier, the Spaniard was asked about his training regime off the court. “I play golf,” smiled the 20-time Major winner. “Honestly that is true. I have never been a gym guy. I am not a big fan of the gym. I am more a fan of playing different sports although with my knee and foot injuries I have not been able to play different sports like I was in the past.”

Asked what he will do when he retires, Nadal joked with fellow former world No.1 Courier: “You look great. I would love to look like you at your age.”

Ash Barty wins on the Australian Open’s first First Nations Peoples Day

The world No.1 needed only 52 minutes to beat Italian qualifier Lucia Bronzetti 6-1 6-1 — even quicker than the 54 minutes she needed in the first round.

And the local favourite, who is proud of her indigenous heritage, also joined the celebration of the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She also spoke on the phone with Evonne Goolagong Cawley.

The Wimbledon champion said: “It is an incredible celebration. It is pretty special. It was nice for me to be a part of it in a way that I feel most comfortable I suppose. Out on the tennis court is how I express myself as an athlete, it’s how I’m able to express myself as a person as well.

On a day we’re bringing cultures together, bringing people together, it was really nice for me to go out and enjoy that. Just met a few of the kids that have come down from Alice Springs and all around Australia, which is amazing for them to come and experience the Australian Open on a really special day for our culture and our heritage.

Chris O’Neil was the last Australian women to lift her home title back in 1978.

Shot of the tournament so far

Pablo Carreno Busta won a point against Tallon Griekspoor from the wrong side of the net – and it was totally legal.

The Dutch player’s shot bounced on the Spaniard’s side of the court and then span back over the net. Carreno Busta ran around and just touched the ball to claim the point.

Another late night for Emma

The US Open champion joked she was up after her bedtime when she won her first round match just before midnight. Her second round match against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic is a bit earlier on the same Margaret Court but she will be playing under lights at 7pm here – 8am in the UK.

Andy Murray is back in his favourite John Caine Arena against Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel noth before 6.30am UK time.

No 24 seed Dan Evans is second on in the 1573 Arena against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech while Heather Watson is second on Court Seven against No.29 seed Tamara Zidansek.

Nick Kyrgios, who returned to court to win his doubles with his pal Thanassi Kokkinakis today wearing a sleeveless red vest, will play world No.2 Daniil Medvedev in the 7pm match in the Rod Laver Arena.

The Djokovic Affair will not go away

Tennis Australia issued a statement yesterday which did not name the world No.1 – and provided more questions.

Now a local politician has claimed that the Australian Open organisers filled in all his paperwork, paid for his flight to Melbourne from Dubai – and picked up the bill for his legal costs after he lost a court case against his deportation.

Former Brighton mayor John Locco also claimed Tennis Australia “planned for the flight to arrive early” into Australia when there would be “minimal border staff” on duty.

He said: “My only motivation for speaking out is for appropriate questions to be put to Tennis Australia.”

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