There are some other matches to keep one eye on including the match-up between Salvatore Caruso of Italy (ranked 150th in the world and Serbian youngster Miomir Kecmanovic. Kecmanovic was to have been facing fellow Serb and men’s world No. 1 Novak Djokovic before the weekend’s events intervened. That match is about dinner time.
A number of Australians are in action including: John Millman taking on Filiciano Lopez; Ajla Tomljanovic playing world number nine Paula Badosa of Spain; wildcard Aleksandar Vukic playing South African Lloyd Harris and James Duckworth squaring off against Adrian Mannarino.
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12.15am on Jan 18, 2022
A wrap from Melbourne Park
By
That officially brings the blog closed for day one of the 2022 Australian Open. There’s still one match in play - last year’s surprise semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev is into the fifth set against Spain’s Jaume Munar.
It was a day of mixed results for the six Australians up on court. Wildcard Aleksandar Vukic was victorious, Ashleigh Barty had a big win and John Millman won through. But Thanasi Kokkinakis, James Duckworth and Ajla Tomljanovic exited the event.
Good night.
12.04am on Jan 18, 2022
Tomljanovic exits at hands of Badosa
By Michael Gleeson
Australian Ajla Tomljanovic struggled in her difficult first round encounter with Spanish star Paula Badosa losing in straight sets 6-4, 6-0.
Troubled by heavy strapping on her right hamstring Tomljanovic could not match the eighth seeded Spaniard.
11.17pm on Jan 17, 2022
Zverev books his second round spot
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The German title threat is through to the second round, tested slightly by countryman Daniel Altmaier on Rod Laver Arena tonight.
Zverev defeated Altmaier 7-6, 6-1, 7-6
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11.04pm on Jan 17, 2022
Up close and personal
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A man takes a selfie photograph with Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic after his arrival in Belgrade, Serbia.AP
I’ve arrived at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport, where Novak Djokovic has just touched down.
Surprisingly, while there is plenty of media waiting to greet him, there are just a handful of fans. Teodori, 20, along with her family, including her 75-year-old grandmother from Belgrade, are among the tiny contingent.
“We are so excited to see him and I just wish him all the best in the world,” she said.
She said she did not want to talk about whether her view of Australia has changed as a result of its treatment of her sporting hero or whether the Serbian should get vaccinated.
Queenslander John Millman has prevailed after a strong challenge from Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez.
Millman is through to the second round with the 6-1, 6-3, 5-6, 7-5 triumph.
“I thought maybe I’d blown it a little bit in that fourth set,” Millman told Channel Nine.
“I had a couple of little break points, but he came up with some great serves under pressure. I think the crowd got behind me.”
John MillmanGetty Images
Millman was rapt to again be playing in front of home crowds.
“First and foremost, the last 18 months for an Australian tennis player, I think, has been extremely challenging,” Millman said.
“I know the people of Melbourne and the people of Australia, have been in and out of lockdown. I was feeling for them and I was probably feeling for myself a little bit.”