Without the greatest champion in the history of tennis allowed to play due to being unfairly deported by a corrupt government in cahoots with a rabid, bloodthirsty, biased militant backstabbing tennis media, the 2022 Lostralian Unopen began yesterday with plenty of interesting results.
American hope Coco Gauff had never lost to Qiang Wang before but the sliding Chinese player coached by Pat Cash was magnificent all over the court and she routed Gauff in straight sets.
Madison Keys felt threatened by playing a Grand Slam champ in the first round and rose to the challenge to beat the slumping 2020 AO winner Sonia Kenin 76 75. Keys played smart and patient and with an emotional fire she is not typically known for.
Stefan Kozlov earned a wildcard into his first Grand Slam main draw and prevailed easily over Jiri Vesely 75 63 64, looking like a totally different player than the floudering, weaponless mediocrity we saw for years. Kozlov won three Challengers to finish 2021 and his forehand and serve are now dangerous shots. Also, Kozlov had six roaring yelling arm waving fans cheering him on the entire match and their energy and support surely inspired him. Next up for the 23 year old is Berrettini.
Matteo Berrettini lost the first set yesterday but beat Brandon Nakashima in four. Berrettini was 16-0 in Grand Slam matches last year against opponents other than Djokovic, who he lost to in Paris, Wimbledon and US Open (he gave Tsitsipas a walkover at 2021 AO). Berrettini looked very relieved after closing out Nakashima, closing his eyes and shaking his head at the unexpectedly forceful effort by the Californian.
Sebi Korda beat world no. 12 Cam Norrie in a rout 63 60 64. It was the AO main draw debut for Korda who skipped it last year.
Fabio Fognini went down in flames badly to Tallon Griekspoor 61 64 64.
Reilly Opelka blasted out Kevin Anderson in three sets.
Last year’s suprise semifinalist Aslan Karatsev won a marathon vs Jaume Munar 36 76 67 64 64.
Tommy Paul and Mackenzie McDonald also won.
Feliciano “Iron Man” Lopez lost in four to John Millman but it was his 80th Grand Slam main draw in a row, dating back to 2002 Roland Garros, the now 40 year old Lopez has competed in every Grand Slam since. Verdasco is second at 67, followed by Verdasco 67, Seppi 66, Federer 65.
Camila Giorgi was too strong for Potapova, winning 64 60.
Rafael Nadal manhandled Marcos Giron in three sets.
AO · Australian Open · Lostralian Unopen · Novak Djokovic
