Defending champion Australian Open began his quest for a third consecutive title in commanding fashion, as Jannik Sinner advanced to the second round after France’s Hugo Gaston was forced to retire from their opening round match at Rod Laver Arena.
Playing his first official match since lifting the ATP Finals trophy by defeating Carlos Alcaraz more than two months ago, the Italian world number two was in complete control from the outset. Sinner raced to a 6-2, 6-1 lead in just over an hour, striking 19 winners on the court where he has reigned supreme over the past two years.
Concerns over Gaston’s condition became evident early on, with the Frenchman taking tablets after the opening set. The atmosphere in the stadium shifted noticeably when, following the second set, Gaston walked over to Sinner’s side of the net to shake hands and apologise, confirming his decision to retire. Sinner offered words of comfort as Gaston, clearly distressed, sat with his head covered by a towel.
Speaking afterwards, Sinner acknowledged his opponent’s struggles while expressing satisfaction with his own performance. He highlighted the extensive work put in during the off-season, emphasising that enjoyment on court remains central to his approach, particularly on the Grand Slam stage in front of a packed night session crowd.
Despite a long competitive break, Sinner showed little sign of rust. After facing an early 0-40 deficit in his opening service game, he responded with authority, firing three aces in four points to regain control. Once he secured the crucial break in the sixth game, the match firmly tilted in his favour.
While Sinner is widely considered a leading contender for the title and a potential fifth Grand Slam crown, he continues to refine his game following defeat to Alcaraz in the US Open final. Against Gaston, there were glimpses of added variety, including a series of well-disguised angled drop shots. He also revealed ongoing work on his serve, describing adjustments to his motion and ball toss as part of an evolving process.
Sinner will now face home favourite James Duckworth in the second round, with a place in the last 32 at stake.
