Australian Open 2019, Day 1: Men's and Women's Round-up
The first Grand Slam of the year got underway in Melbourne. In the highlight of the day, Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut sealed a hard-fought win against Andy Murray, claiming the five-set victory 6-4 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-7 (4-7) 6-2. after a tussle for over 4 hours, both players embraced on the court, as Murray was given a standing ovation, who addressed his fans in an emotional tribute, thereafter
" Honestly I've loved playing here over the years. If this was my last match, an amazing way to end. I gave everything I had and it wasn't enough tonight. Maybe I'll see you again. I'll do everything possible to try. If I want to go again I'll need to have a big operation which there's no guarantees I'll come back from. But I'll give it my best shot."
Other results on the men's side went according to plan as both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer won in straight sets. Federer was at his vintage best as he beat Uzbek player Denis Istomin 6-3 6-4 6-4, while Nadal fought off the resistance of Aussie James Duckworth, winning in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 7-5.
The only upset was the in the battle of the giants - where John Isner became the first top-10 seed to lose on the opening day as he lost in four sets to world number 97 and fellow American Reilly Opelka. All the sets went to the tie-break, with Opelka out-hitting and out-serving Isner in the end. Grigor Dimitrov came back from a deficit to defeat Janko Tipsarevic in four sets.
Indian Prajnesh Gunneswaran lost his first ever Grand Slam main draw match to USA's Frances Tiafoe in straight sets.
Home favourite Alex de Minaur continued his splendid form from Sydney to Melbourne Park, as the 27th seed comprehensively beat Portugal’s Pedro Sousa in straight sets 6-4 7-5 6-4 win. De Minaur's cause was helped by being habituated to the Melbourne sun as he had turned down an offer to play at night. Meanwhile, Tomas Berdych, who is on a comeback trail put in a dominating performance against 13th seed Kyle Edmund, defeating him 6-3, 6-0, 7-5.
In women's singles, Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova, Caroline Wozniacki, and Angelique Kerber comfortably won their matches to enter the second round. Meanwhile, Jelena Ostapenko was beaten in three sets by her Greek opponent Maria Sakkari 6-1, 3-6, 6-2.
Here are some of the results from Day 1:
Men's singles Results:
- Rafael Nadal defeats James Duckworth 6-4, 6-3, 7-5
- Reilly Opelka defeats No. 9 John Isner 7-6, 7-6, 6-7, 7-6
- Kevin Anderson defeats Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1
- Roger Federer defeats Denis Istomin 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
- Marin Cilic defeats Bernard Tomic 6-2, 6-4, 7-6
- Roberto Bautista Agut defeats Andy Murray 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 6-2
- Kei Nishikori defeats Kamil Majchrzak 3-6, 6-7, 6-0, 6-2, 3-0 (by retirement)
- Novak Djokovic defeats Mitchell Krueger 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
- Milos Raonic defeats Nick Kyrgios 6-4, 7-6, 6-4
- Dominic Thiem defeats Benoit Paire 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 1-6, 6-3
Women's Singles Results:
- Angelique Kerber defeats Polona Hercog (6-2, 6-2)
- Sloane Stephens defeats Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-2
- Petra Kvitova defeats Magdalena Rybarikova 6-3, 6-2
- Caroline Wozniacki defeats Alison Van Uytvanck 6-3, 6-4
- Madison Keys vs. Destanee Aiava 6-2, 6-2
- Serena Williams defeats Tatjana Maria 6-0, 6-2
- Elina Svitolina defeats Viktorija Golubic 6-1, 6-2
- Simona Halep defeats Kaia Kanepi 6-7, 6-4, 6-2
- Naomi Osaka defeats Magda Linette 6-4, 6-2
- Venus Williams defeats Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-7, 7-6, 6-2
Daywise Australian Open 2019 results