David Goffin still does not find his best tennis after a difficult 2020 for him. The Belgian, thirteenth seed of the tournament, could not with the Australian Alexei Popyrin, who entered the tournament with an invitation, and who won by 3-6, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6) and 6-3 after three hours and 43 minutes of play.
The Belgian was weighed down by the 11 double faults he committed against an opponent who played very aggressive and who supplied his 78 unforced errors with 50 winners in addition to taking advantage of 6 of the 13 break balls that he had against the Belgian. Popyrin will meet in the next round with the South African Lloyd Harris, who beat the Danish Mikael Torpegaard (4-6, 6-3, 6-2 and 6-2).
Medvedev devastates Pospisil
More placid was the debut of Daniil Medvedev. The fourth-seeded Russian easily beat Canadian Vasek Pospisil 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 after one hour and 47 minutes of play. The Russian was very solid on serve (78% of points won with the first service) and gave hardly any options to Pospisil, who committed 43 unforced errors for only 13 from the Russian. Now Medvedev will face the winner of the match between the Spanish Roberto Carballés and the Hungarian Attila Balasz.
Rublev, without problems against Hanfmann
He also went to the second round Andrey Rublev. The seventh seed for the title beat German Yannick Hanfmann 6-3, 6-3 and 6-4 after one hour and 42 minutes. Rublev, intractable on serve (17 aces), was very offensive, also adding 35 winners to beat the German and will be seen in the next round with the Brazilian Thiago Monteiro, who defeated the Slovenian Andrej Martin (7-6 (6), 6 -1 and 6-2).
Khachanov, in trouble against Vukic
More trouble happened Karen Khachanov to seal her pass to this second round. The Russian had to go to four sets against the Australian Aleksandar Vukic, whom he beat 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (2) and 6-4 after three hours of the game. Khakchanov did not have it easy against a Vukic who achieved 15 direct aces and a total of 44 winners but the Russian managed to take advantage of four of the twelve break balls he had to take the match. Khachanov will now face Ricardas Berankis, who beat the Indian Sumit Nagal (6-2, 7-5 and 6-3).
Fognini does not give Herbert options
He also sealed his pass to the second round Fabio Fognini, who beat Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert in three sets 6-4, 6-3 and 6-2. The Italian was very accurate on serve (79% of points won with his first serve) and took advantage of the five break balls he had while not giving his rival break options. Second round 'Fogna' will face his compatriot Salvatore Caruso, who defeated Swiss Henri Laaksonen (6-2, 6-4 and 6-3).
Berrettini can with Anderson's serves
Italian Matteo Berrettini managed to beat gunner Kevin Anderson to seal his pass to the second round of the Australian Open. Berrettini won 7-6 (9), 7-5 and 6-3 in two hours and 23 minutes thanks to his success on serve (89% of points won with the first service) and with a very offensive game with 45 winning strokes for only 15 unforced errors. Berretini will now meet in the second round with the Czech Tomas Machac, Mario Vilella's executioner.
Tsitsipas devastates Simon
A somewhat calmer premiere had Stefanos Tsitsipas, who beat Gilles Simon 6-1, 6-2 and 6-1 in three sets after one hour and 32 minutes. The Greek was intractable against Simon, as he did not yield to serve and also took advantage of seven break balls to take the game. Second round Tsitsipas will play Australian Thanassi Kokkinakis, who beat South Korean Soonwoo Kwon (6-4, 6-1 and 6-1).
Schedule and results.