Alex de Minaur, the top-ranked Australian in the men’s draw, secured 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 victory against Taiwanese qualifier Hsu Yu Hsiou
World No 24 secures 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 victory against qualifierPhotograph: Darrian Traynor/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Darrian Traynor/Getty ImagesAlex de Minaur was in Nick Kyrgios’s house, making himself at home, wooing the crowd as his own. One quiet Australian replacing another, very loud one, and finally having his time in the sun. It has been more than 24 hours since Kyrgios withdrew from theinjured, yet still he is somehow here, commanding the airwaves and column inches.
But though his ghost lingers, Kyrgios was not at John Cain Arena, the court he so loves and which loves him back in all its riotous glory. His withdrawal meant De Minaur’s first-round match was moved here, and it is De Minaur the locals came to see. What they witnessed was a professional, assertive straight-sets defeat of Taiwanese qualifier Hsu Yu Hsiou. He won 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 without fuss or bravado or antics of any kind.
It is sometimes overlooked that the 23-year-old is ranked so high, given his game is so often played in the shadow of his compatriot currently sitting three places above. But an excellent game it is nonetheless, and one which has yielded six quarter-final or better results at tour level in the past 12 months along with fourth-round runs at last year’s Australian Open and Wimbledon.
And as day two’s tournament-halting heat was replaced with tournament-halting rain, De Minaur set about exhibiting his brand of speed and consistency, dismantling Hsu on the latter’s grand-slam debut and securing passage to the second round, where he will face either John Isner or Adrian Mannarino. Should he progress from there, more considerable challenges await, including a potential third-round meeting with Pablo Carreño Busta and fourth-round clash with Novak Djokovic.
Hsu did not give a bad account of himself. His style was not dissimilar to that of his counterpart and his decision-making was sound, albeit not supported by a level of execution that would trouble an opponent ranked 184 places higher. He settled his nerves with an important first-game hold featuring an exquisite and ungettable cross-court volley.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
De Minaur sprints to first-up Australian Open win as weather wreaks havoc at Melbourne ParkExtreme heat and rain left its mark on day two in Melbourne, but Australia's best hope in the men's draw, Alex de Minaur, encounters little trouble in earning safe passage to the second round.
Read more »
Live scores: Australian Open returns with a wide open fieldThe Australian Open is back on, with a more open field than any time in the past decade. Keep across all the live scores and results.
Read more »
Kyrgios shuts down talk of feud with de Minaur, says no regrets over Open withdrawalNick Kyrgios will stay in Melbourne until Friday to support his fellow Australians as he prepares for knee surgery next week.
Read more »
Rising star Olivia Gadecki steps into Ash Barty-shaped hole with maiden Australian Open winThere is a gap in the women’s singles draw where the defending champion will not beGadecki, ranked 200th, earned a wildcard entry
Read more »
Watch Australian Open Tennis 2023, Catch Up TVToday's matches include Tiafoe (USA) v Altmaier (GER), Nadal (ESP) v Draper (GBR) and Kubler (AUS) v Baez (ARG) live on Nine and live-streaming every match, every court on 9Now. Live play starts from 11:00am AEDT daily.
Read more »
Gauff books bumper clash with Raducanu at Australian Open, Pegula breezes throughAmerican Coco Gauff, 18, hits the ground running with a comfortable win at Melbourne Park, setting up an enticing second-round encounter with former US Open winner Emma Raducanu from Britain.
Read more »