Daniil Medvedev (7) started the competition at a furious pace by defeating American Marcos Giron 6-0, 6-1 and 6-2; while Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime (6) struggled to beat compatriot Vasek Pospisil 1-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(3) and 6-3, in the first round of the Australian Open .
The tennis player from Moscow, a finalist in the 2021 and 2022 editions, did his homework in just over an hour and a half to close the night shift on Center Court Rod Laver Arena, without any surprises after all the favorites (Coco Gauff, Maria Sakkari, Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek) made it through their first rounds.
“I am very happy with the match. Marcos is a tough opponent and beating him with this marker and in this setting is unbelievable”, he added after the end of a match in which the winner reached 28.
His next rival was local John Millman after he defeated the Swiss Marc-Andrea Huesler by a tight 6-7 (8), 7-5, 6-7 (2), 6-2 and 6-3.
The journey was not that easy for the sixth seed and student of Toni Nadal, Felix Auger-Aliassime after his compatriot Pospisil was defeated in the first set, 6-1.
However, Canada’s top hope has found a formula to stop his teammate Pospisil by reducing his unforced error percentage and forcing his opponent to take more risks.
“It was a difficult start but the game is long and I tried to stay positive. Having situations like this, it is easier to be calm and find positive thoughts. It was a difficult match and I am happy to have passed”, commented an Auger-Aliassime who will face the Slovakian Alex Molcan, executioner of the Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka.
Italian Lorenzo Musetti was unable to fulfill his role as favorite who fell against the South African by a tight 6-4, 6-1, 6-7 (0), 2-6 and 7-6 (4).
Source: La Verdad
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