Nadal has struggled with back pain in recent days and missed the ATP Cup last week. He was immediately present at the appointment against Dijer on Tuesday. The 34-year-old Spaniard is looking for a record of Grand Slam victories in Melbourne. He now has to share with Roger Federer, with twenty wins each. At the Australian Open, Nadal won only in 2009. In the second round, Nadal will face the winner of a match between Serbia’s Victor Troiki (ATP 202) and American Michael Emmo (ATP 177).

Daniel Medvedev (ATP4) won the first round of his tournament without any problems. Russia defeated Canadian Vasek Pospisil (ATP 63) in three sets (6-2, 6-2 and 6-4). Medvedev is confident after his final victory over Russia in the ATP Cup on Sunday. In the second round, he meets the winner of a match between Hungarian Atila Palas (ATP 94) and Spaniard Roberto Carpallos Pena (ATP 99).

Stephanos Citsipas (ATP6) easily qualified for the second round. The 22-year-old Greek defeated fifth-seeded Frenchman Gilles Simon (ATP 66) in his first round two sets (6-1, 6-2 and 6-1) after an hour and 33 minutes of tennis. In the second round, Chitsibas meets Australian Tanasi Kokkinakis (ATP 267), who thanks to a wild card, and in his first round southers level three sets (6-4, 6-1 and 6 -1). -Korean Sunwoo Kuan (ATP 97).

Defending champion Sophia Ken began reluctantly

Sofia Kenin (WTA4) reluctantly started the Australian Open. The reigning champion in Melbourne defeated fourth seed Australian Madison Inglis (WTA 133) in two tough sets (7-5 ​​and 6-4) at the Rod Laver Arena. Ken will face Estonia’s Gaya Canepi (WTA 65) in the second round after losing the final against Elise Mertens (WTA 16) at the Gibsland Trophy last Sunday.

Ken won the Australian Open last year, beating Spain’s Corbin Muguruza in three sets in the final. It was his first Grand Slam victory and the youngest since Maria Sharapova in 2008. The 22-year-old American had two breaks in both sets against the 23-year-old Inglis, who started with a wild card. He made unnecessary mistakes and left his service once in both sets, but won on his third match point.

Muguruza (WTA 14) struggled a bit with Russian Margarita Casparian (WTA 127) in his first game and he was caught as the lucky loser. He won in straight sets (6-4 and 6-0).

Exit the two-time Azarenka

Belarusian Victoria Azarenka (WTA 13) did not escape in the first round. The two-time overall champion in Melbourne had to put her thumb in two sets (7-5 ​​and 6-4) to American Jessica Begula (WTA 61). The 31-year-old Azarenka excelled in Melbourne in 2012 and 2013. In the years that followed, his performance was somewhat disappointing, due in part to a somewhat complicated fight divorce, but last year he came back strong and was a finalist at the US Open. In preparation for this year’s first Grand Slam match, the Belarusian had to stay in his hotel room in Melbourne for two weeks after a positive test from one of his passengers on a flight to Australia. For the 26-year-old Begula, this is his first win at the Australian Open. She competed in the third round of the US Open last year. (Belka)