In Melbourne, Murray announced the end of his career in 2019 due to persistent hip problems, but returned to the tour with an artificial joint. It was not easy for him against Basilashvili, who was number 21. His 6:1 3:6 6:4 6:7 (5/7) 6:4 victory was only certain after 3:52 hours. Last week he had also defeated the Georgian on the way to the final in Sydney, where the round of 16 game went over three sets. Wildcard Murray takes on qualifier Taro Daniel of Japan in the second round.
The former world number one from Scotland is currently number 113 and is back at Melbourne Park for the first time since a five-set loss to Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) in 2019. In 2018 and 2020 he was injured, last year he had to pass due to a coronavirus infection.
Australian-Open-Comeback von Murray
Andy Murray has made an emotional and successful return to the Australian Open. After declaring his career over in Melbourne three years ago, he managed a hard-fought first-round win over Nikolos Basilashvili on Tuesday.
“It is amazing. It was a tough three or four years. I worked a lot to get back here,” Murray said in the winner’s interview. “I’ve played on this pitch a lot and the atmosphere is amazing. This is where I thought three years ago that I had played my last match. It’s amazing to be back in five sets with a fight like that. You can’t ask for more.”
Medvedev only had problems in the third set
US Open winner Daniil Medvedev advanced to the second round in three sets. The second in the world rankings advanced with a 6:1 6:4 7:6 (7/3) against Swiss outsider Henri Laaksonen. The 25-year-old Russian’s next opponent is Australian Nick Kyrgios, who also beat Brit Liam Broady in three sets 6-4 6-4 6-3. Medvedev’s Russian compatriot Andrei Rublew (No. 5) prevailed against Gianluca Mager (ITA) 6:3 6:2 6:2. Stefanos Tsitsipas, number four, also had no problems against Swede Mikael Ymer, the Greek won 6:2 6:4 6:3.
Medvedev controlled his game for long stretches and was hardly in trouble when serving on his own. Only in the third set did he give his opponent more leeway, but not in the tie-break. This means that for the first time since 1995 there is no Swiss in the second round of the tournament, Stan Wawrinka and record Grand Slam winner Roger Federer are injured.
The Norwegian Casper Ruud, who was originally number eight, had to withdraw his entry without a fight because of an ankle injury. In the previous year, the 23-year-old had to give up due to an injury in the round of 16 against Rublev.
Early exit for Fernandez and Kvitova
For women, US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez experienced a setback. Four months after her surprising series of successes in New York, the 19-year-old Canadian lost 4-6 2-6 in the first round to Australia’s world number 133. Maddison Inglis. The Canadian committed 30 unforced errors. There was also no progress for the two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova. The Czech 2019 Melbourne finalist stood no chance against Sorana Cirstea, losing 6-2 6-2. “That’s the sport, I just have to fight my way through it,” said Kvitova disappointed.
Things didn’t go well for the second in the world rankings, Arina Sabalenka (BLR), either, but despite problems with her serve she beat Australian Strom Sanders 5:7 6:3 6:2. Garbine Muguruza (ESP/3) struggled to some extent with the young Frenchwoman Clara Burel, ultimately won 6:3 6:4 and thus remained in this major for the tenth year without an opening defeat. Anett Kontaveit (EST/6) defeated the Czech Katerina Siniakova 6:2 6:3, Iga Swiatek (POL/7) Harriet Dart (GBR) 6:3 6:0. Simon Halep (ROU/14) started with a 6:4 6:3 win against Magdalena Frech (POL).
In the duel between two US Open winners, Emma Raducanu (GBR/17) defeated Sloane Stephens 6:0 2:6 6:1 at the end of the second match day. Raducanu, who triumphed in New York last year, four years after her opponent, is making her debut in the Melbourne main draw.
