Australian Open day 2: China’s Jerry Shang, Yang Yue out; Sinner, Alcaraz make solid starts
Shang, whose Hong Kong Open was cut short, appeared to be injured while Nick Kyrgios is also out; Djokovic, Osaka, Gauff all win through
Days after retiring ill in the semi-finals of the Hong Kong Open, Chinese star Jerry Shang Juncheng exited injured from the Australian Open for the second consecutive year, on a day when hometown hero Nick Kyrgios’ long-awaited return to the grand slam stage was cut short.
While tournament big guns Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner all negotiated their opening matches on Monday, former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas became the biggest casualty of the tournament so far.
In the women’s draw, world No 3 Coco Gauff began her campaign in style, but world No 2 Iga Swiatek advanced with an unconvincing 6-3, 6-4 win against first-time opponent Katerina Siniakova.
Another winner was two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka, who defeated France’s Caroline Garcia 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
Meanwhile, China’s No 3 woman, Yuan Yue, missed out on a chance of setting up a meeting with No 1 compatriot Zheng Qinwen when she lost to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. If things go to plan, the Russian 27th seed will face Zheng in the third round.
Shang, who pulled up lame against Alcaraz in the third round last year, on Monday had to call for the physiotherapist for what appeared to be a foot problem during his clash with Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
