MELBOURNE:
Jannik Sinner strolled into the second spherical of the Australian Open on Tuesday when his opponent retired with the two-time defending champion in full management.
The Italian second seed led 6-2, 6-1 when France’s Hugo Gaston referred to as it quits with an obvious harm after 68 minutes on Rod Laver Enviornment.
Sinner faces Australian qualifier James Duckworth or Dino Prizmic of Croatia subsequent.
“I noticed that he was not serving at tempo. It isn’t the best way you wish to win the match, however he is such a proficient participant,” stated Sinner.
“So I knew from the start that I needed to play a really excessive degree and was attempting to be as aggressive as potential, which I’ve finished.
“I am very joyful to be again right here, it’s a really particular place for me.”
Sinner had made a sticky begin, falling 40-0 down on his serve within the first recreation of the match, earlier than rattling off three aces to carry.
It was about the one blip because the 24-year-old rapidly discovered his devastating vary to claim his authority over the 93rd-ranked Frenchman.
Sinner, who comfortably defeated Alexander Zverev within the closing 12 months in the past, raced to the primary set in 37 minutes.
The 25-year-old Gaston had transient remedy between units from the coach and once they resumed Sinner tightened his grip on the competition.
Sinner romped by the second set and Gaston shook palms.
Ought to he win three titles in a row in Melbourne, Sinner would be a part of Novak Djokovic as the one males within the Open period to take action.
Bencic makes mild work of Boulter
In-form Belinda Bencic swatted apart an erratic Katie Boulter for the lack of 5 video games on Tuesday to fireplace a warning shot on the Australian Open.
Tenth seed Belinda Bencic swatted apart Britain’s Katie Boulter on the Australian Open.
Switzerland’s Bencic, again within the prime 10 for the primary time since having a child, was emphatic in profitable the primary set 6-0 in simply 26 minutes on Margaret Court docket Enviornment.
The Briton made her work more durable within the second set earlier than the tenth seed got here residence 7-5.
The 28-year-old Bencic arrived in Melbourne on the again of profitable all 5 singles matches on the combined groups United Cup, together with victories over world quantity two Iga Swiatek and seventh-ranked Jasmine Paolini.
It earned Bencic the occasion’s most precious participant award and propelled her contained in the world’s prime 10, someplace she has not been since giving beginning to daughter Bella in April 2024.
“It helped a lot to begin the season effectively,” she stated.
“I really feel so comfy right here in Australia. The power is nice.
“I am actually attempting to play the Australian Open for Staff Switzerland,” she added, referencing the vibe she felt taking part in for her nation on the United Cup.
Bencic broke Boulter instantly and consolidated to like earlier than breaking once more to take agency management on the onset.
An out-of-sorts Boulter received simply 4 factors throughout the opening three video games and it did not get any higher, with Bencic racing by the opening set.
Boulter, with fiance Alex De Minaur watching courtside, was a distinct participant within the second set, lastly discovering some traction to carry serve within the opening recreation.
Damaged once more in recreation seven, Boulter bounced again instantly to make a match of it. However Bencic stored coming and in the end was simply too good.
Bencic was ranked 421 firstly of the 2025 season, however making the final 16 on the Australian Open a 12 months in the past satisfied her she might return to the higher echelons of tennis.
Titles in Abu Dhabi and Tokyo noticed her race again up the rankings.
