Medvedev, Gauf through ahead of Osaka comeback
MELBOURNE: Two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev and US Open champion Coco Gauff swept into the second round of the Australian Open yesterday, but Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova was sent packing.
On a baking-hot day at Melbourne Park, men’s seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and 16th seed Ben Shelton also tasted victory, ahead of Naomi Osaka’s Grand Slam comeback on Rod Laver Arena in the evening session.
Third seed Medvedev battled tough conditions on Margaret Court Arena against French qualifier Terence Atmane, who smashed his racquet, served underarm and retired in tears after suffering bad cramping that forced him off court while losing 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, 1-0.
“When I started to feel tough physically he started cramping, so it was brutal conditions. I was getting tired but many times in these situations the other guy is getting tired too and it’s about who manages it better,” said Russia’s Medvedev, a finalist in 2021 and 2022.
The Russian will face Finland’s unseeded Emil Ruusuvuori in the next round.
Tsitsipas, who lost last year’s final to Novak Djokovic, was stunned by Belgian lucky loser Zizou Bergs in the first set, but woke up to take complete control and win 5-7, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3.
The Greek star was due to meet Italian Matteo Berrettini, but the former world number six withdrew with a foot injury on Sunday.
Women’s fourth seed Gauff said ahead of the opening Grand Slam of the year that she wanted to win ‘multiple’ major titles after her breakthrough at Flushing Meadows in 2023. The 19-yearold put the plan into motion with a 6-3, 6-0 rout of Slovakia’s 68th-ranked Anna Karolina Schmiedlova on centre court.
New mum Osaka, 26, is the main attraction in the evening session, having stepped away from the sport in September 2022, citing mental health concerns.
After giving birth to a baby girl, Shai, in July, the Japanese star decided to return for the 2024 season. But she faces a huge challenge first up against 16thseeded Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia.
“I have a much more positive mindset and a much more grateful mindset,” four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka said of returning to Melbourne, the scene of her title-winning exploits in 2019 and 2021.