LONDON: Arab News takes a look at how all the other big names did on day one in Melbourne — who lived to fight another day and who has already been forced to pack their bags?
GREGOR DIMITORV (3) STAYING: The Bulgarian was pushed all the way in five sets before finally beating No. 186-ranked Mackenzie McDonald, who had never won a tour-level match before qualifying for the Australian Open, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 0-6, 8-6. Dimitrov is highly fancied but will have to improve a lot if he is to go all the way.
NICK KYRGIOS (17) STAYING: The explosive Aussie was always in control of his match against Viktor Troicki 7-5, 6-4, 7-6. We are only two matches in but there is a focus about the home hope that he has rarely shown before. He has all the talent in the world, could this be his year?
MARIN CILIC (6) STAYING: Last year’s Wimbledon finalist was in dominant form as he downed Joao Sousa 6-1, 7-5, 6-2. It was the kind of big-serving showing that if the Croatian can repeat and repeat should see him go deep in Melbourne.
JO-WILFRED TSONGA () STAYING: The Frenchman rallied from 5-2 in the fifth set to overcome rising star Denis Shapovalov 3-6, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6, 7-5 in an absorbing three-hour, 37-minute contest. He will now face Kyrgios in the next round in what promises to be a fascinating clash.
ELINA SVITOLINA (4) STAYING: The Ukrainian rallied to reach the third round with a gutsy 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 win over Katerina Siniakova. Svitolina was 0 for 6 on break-point chances in the first set, but recovered to break Siniakova six times over the rest of the match.
JELENA OSTAPENKO (7) STAYING: The French Open champion is through to the third round having seen off the challenge of Duan Yingying 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 on the Margaret Court Arena. The Latvian is definitely one to watch the longer the tournament goes on.
JULIA GOERGES (12) PACKING HER BAGS: The German was on a 15-match unbeaten streak and strongly tipped to do well in Melbourne. But she leaves trophyleess in week one having been beaten 6-4, 6-3 by world No.42 Alize Cornet.
