Jannik Sinner powers into Australian Open second round while Monfils says goodbye

"The defending champion Jannik Sinner advanced to the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday, taking just over an hour after his French opponent Hugo Gaston retired upon losing the first two sets 6-2, 6-1. In his first official match since beating Carlos Alcaraz for the ATP Finals crown in November, the Italian world No 2 was in ominous form on Rod Laver Arena. After losing the second set, Gaston gestured he could no longer continue and retired to his seat to cry under a towel. Sinner said he was surprised by the retirement but could see Gaston was not at his best. Sinner will continue his bid for a third successive Australian Open crown against the winner of the first-round match between James Duckworth and Dino Prizmic."

"In a match between left-handers, Ben Shelton, a semi-finalist in last year's tournament, overcame Ugo Humbert 6-3, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5) to reach the second round. The No 8 seed said it was one of the toughest first-round matches he could have faced, with Humbert ranked No 33. Humbert had the highest ranking of the unseeded players. I thought I stayed really calm today, Shelton said. On a court like this, playing Ugo in the first round is a tough draw. I felt I found some of my better tennis late in the match. Shelton will next face Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny, who ended the 20th and final Australian Open campaign for 39-year-old Frenchman Gael Monfils."

"Fifth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti advanced when Raphael Collignon retired in the fourth set. The score was 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5, 3-2 when the Belgian player quit due to cramping and dizziness. Also advancing were Eliot Spizzirri, who beat rising star Joao Fonseca, the 19-year-old Brazilian and No 28 seed, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. The world No 15, Karen Khachanov is also through as is Argentina's Sebastian Baez, who outlasted Giovanni Mpetshi P"

Jannik Sinner moved into the Australian Open second round after Hugo Gaston retired following a 6-2, 6-1 start, with the match lasting just over an hour. Gaston signalled he could not continue after the second set and left the court visibly upset. Sinner noted surprise at the retirement but observed Gaston was not at his best. Sinner will face the winner of James Duckworth versus Dino Prizmic in the next round. Ben Shelton beat Ugo Humbert in straight sets and will play Dane Sweeny. Lorenzo Musetti, Eliot Spizzirri, Karen Khachanov and Sebastian Baez also advanced.

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