Jannik Sinner began his Australian Open defence with a straightforward victory on Tuesday, advancing to the second round after French opponent Hugo Gaston retired trailing 6-2, 6-1. The Italian world No 2 took just over an hour on Rod Laver Arena in his first official match since winning the ATP Finals in November.
Gaston gestured he could no longer continue after losing the second set and retired to his seat in tears. Sinner expressed surprise at the retirement but acknowledged Gaston was not at his best. Sinner will face the winner of the match between James Duckworth and Dino Prizmic as he seeks a third consecutive Australian Open title.
In other first-round action, Ben Shelton defeated Ugo Humbert 6-3, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5) to reach the second round. The No 8 seed described it as a tough draw and said he found his best tennis late in the match. Shelton will next face Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny.
Sweeny ended the 20th and final Australian Open campaign for Gaël Monfils, winning 6-7 (3), 7-5, 6-4, 7-5 in nearly four hours. The 39-year-old Frenchman received a standing ovation and an on-court presentation, thanking fans for 'an amazing ride'. Monfils, who has won 13 ATP titles, announced this would be his last year in tennis.
Fifth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti advanced after Raphaël Collignon retired due to cramping and dizziness in the fourth set, with the score at 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5, 3-2. Eliot Spizzirri upset No 28 seed João Fonseca 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, while Karen Khachanov and Sebastián Báez also progressed to the second round.
