Despite rain delays disrupting the opening day’s schedule at Melbourne Park, the 2025 Australian Open wasted no time in delivering standout performances, upsets, and some young guns to get very excited about.
The Sunday start featured one of the tournament’s early scares as No.6 seed Casper Ruud narrowly avoided a shocking first-round defeat. Facing Spain’s Jaume Munar, Ruud seemed in danger of an early flight back to Europe when he found himself locked at two sets apiece. However, the three-time Grand Slam finalist regrouped in style, storming through the final set 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena.
“I’ve never played my opening match on a Sunday,” the Norwegian admitted. “It’s normal to feel nervous at the start of a tournament, but losing today would have felt like the tournament was over before it began. That fear helped me dig deep in the fifth set.”
Rain reduced Sunday’s schedule of 32 matches, yet several fan favorites still delivered strong performances. World No.1 and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka displayed her dominance, extending her Melbourne Park winning streak to 15 matches by dismantling 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-2 in just 71 minutes.
China’s Zheng Qinwen, last year’s finalist, also impressed, defeating Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni 7-6(3), 6-1. Meanwhile, seeded players Paula Badosa, Mirra Andreeva, Donna Vekic, and Leylah Fernandez secured safe passages to the second round.
However, the day wasn’t without upsets. Denmark’s Clara Tauson toppled No.29 seed Linda Noskova in a hard-fought three-set clash, although some could argue, with Tauson fresh off her Auckland title, that it wasn’t exactly an enormous surprise.
In the men’s field 2nd seed Alexander Zverev breezed through his opener, dispatching Lucas Pouille in straight sets. Joining him in the winners’ circle were Ugo Humbert, Arthur Fils, Jiri Lehecka, and Tomas Machac.
Kei Nishikori produced one of the most dramatic wins of the round, coming back from two sets down and saving two match points to defeat Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro. It was the Japanese star’s first victory at Melbourne Park since 2019, marking a triumphant return to the Grand Slam stage.
Reilly Opelka continued his resurgence after a strong Brisbane campaign. The towering American defeated Belgian Gauthier Onclin, earning his first Grand Slam victory since 2022 following a long injury layoff.
Making history was Lebanon’s Hady Habib, who became the first player from his nation to win a Grand Slam match, overcoming Yunchaokete Bu in straight sets.
“This is probably one of the best days of my career honestly. It’s such an incredible feeling to get this win not only for myself but for Lebanon and Lebanese tennis.”
The weather improved for the remainder of the 1st round, but the mood of Stefanos Tsitsipas did not. The tournament’s first blockbuster upset came, as Alex Michelsen, a young American talent, stunned the 2023 finalist, 7-5, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 on John Cain Arena. Michelsen’s composure and aggressive play was too much for the Greek, who looked inconsolable at his press conference.
“It just sucks in a way that I’ll be around, hanging around, for quite a while now before my next tournament comes in. With my competitive nature, I feel like these type of things are not really ideal for me.”
Defending champion Jannik Sinner remained untouchable, stretching his winning streak to 15 matches since October. Despite a challenging opponent in Nicolas Jarry, Sinner prevailed 7-6(2), 7-6(5), 6-1. Carlos Alcaraz, eyeing a career Grand Slam at just 21 years of age, overcame a brief lapse to defeat Alexander Shevchenko 6-1, 7-5, 6-1.
Novak Djokovic began his new coaching arrangement with Andy Murray, and his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam title. Despite dropping the opening set to 19-year-old wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy, Djokovic rallied for a four-set win in front of new coach Andy Murray. Basavareddy suffered a bout of severe cramping late in the 2nd set, which clearly turned the match into Djokovic’s favour.
There was also high drama on the outside courts. Frances Tiafoe endured cramps and on-court vomiting to survive a five-set battle against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech. Similarly, Briton Jack Draper and semifinalist Tommy Paul clawed their way through marathon matches to secure their spots in the next round.
One of the most anticipated matches, was the comeback of local favourite, Nick Kyrgios. Playing his 1st Grand Slam match in 2 years, it wasn’t a fairytale comeback, as he struggled with an ab injury, losing in straight sets to Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.
Kyrgios suggested we may never see him in singles action at the Australian Open again.
“I mean, realistically I can’t really see myself probably playing singles again here.”
Third seed Coco Gauff began her campaign with a commanding win over 2020 champion, Sofia Kenin. Iga Swiatek, the 2nd seed, overcame a tricky test to beat Katerina Siniakova. Naomi Osaka, playing well into the night, advanced with a tough 3-sets victory, signaling her readiness to make a deep run.
Elina Svitolina defeated Sorana Cirstea in straight sets, while Swiss star Belinda Bencic also delivered a moment to remember, saving six match points to defeat Jelena Ostapenko in her Grand Slam return after maternity leave.
The home crowd had plenty to celebrate, with nine Australians advancing to the second round. Among the highlights, qualifier Destanee Aiava saved two match points in a thrilling comeback against Greet Minnen. Alex de Minaur, affectionately nicknamed “Demon,” didn’t have too many problems, with a commanding victory over Botic van de Zandschulp, despite the Dutchman’s shot-of-the-tournament-worthy tweener winner.
Gael Monfils, at 38, re-wound the clock, delivered a vintage performance, defeating compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a five-set epic just days after becoming the oldest ATP title winner since Ken Rosewall. Monfils didn’t even face a break point, while dismantling the biggest serve on tour.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Joao Fonseca announced his arrival on the world stage. The Brazilian qualifier shocked ninth seed Andrey Rublev with a fearless straight-sets victory, producing 51 winners in his Grand Slam debut. Fonseca is widely tipped to be a future major winner, and nothing we saw against Rublev has done anything to dampen the hype.
In other results, Emma Raducanu battled through a shaky service performance to overcome Ekaterina Alexandrova. Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune survived five-set marathons, while Matteo Berrettini and Lorenzo Musetti set up a blockbuster 2nd round encounter.
Bring on Round 2.
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