Jannik Sinner, rocketing start with Gaston at Australian Open
Jannik Sinner is off to a strong start with Hugo Gaston at the Australian Open. The world and seeding number two took the first set with the Frenchman, number 93 in the world rankings, after 37 minutes of play: 6-2 thanks to a double break, obtained in the sixth and eighth games.
Complicated start for Sinner, who immediately had to face three break points: the Azure saved with his serve (two aces and a winning first) and held the serve at the advantages. Jannik struggles in response but in the sixth game begins to find his measure and on the fourth break point he scores with a backhand winner. The South Tyrolean confirmed the break at zero and again snatched the Frenchman’s serve in the eighth game with a winning forehand that sealed the first set (6-2).
The South Tyrolean tennis player, currently No. 2 in the world rankings and on the strength of his successes in the last two editions of the first Slam of the season, has been placed in the lower part of the main draw, where Novak Djokovic also features. In the upper part of the main draw, however, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev stand out.
Sinner goes in the hunt for a third consecutive Australian Open. A trio that has only succeeded in the tournament’s history by three tennis players: Jack Crawford (1931 to 1933), Roy Emerson (winner five editions in a row, from 1963 to 1967) and Novak Djokovic. The Serbian has made it a hat trick twice in Melbourne: from 2011 to 2013 and from 2019 to 2021. By winning the tournament, the world number two would also avert Carlos Alcaraz’s chance to complete the Grand Slam (the Spaniard has never won the Australian Open).
