Australian Open: Djokovic sparkles as China’s Shang causes upset, while Eala bows out
Serb begins quest for 25th grand slam title in fine form, Chinese former world No 47 makes good start, but Filipino favourite is knocked out
China’s Jerry Shang Juncheng opened his Australian Open campaign with a four-set win over former top-10 player Roberto Bautista-Agut on Monday, but Philippines trailblazer Alexandra Eala was unable to deliver for her adoring fans in a first-round defeat to the United States’ Alycia Parks.
In the headline night match, Novak Djokovic began his hunt for a record 25th grand slam title with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over unseeded Spaniard Pedro Martinez, the Serb easing pre-tournament concerns about his fitness with a sparkling display.
Earlier, Stan Wawrinka fought back aged 40 to reach the second round in his Melbourne Park farewell as title contenders Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff won but failed to sparkle.
On a day when 20-year-old Shang carried the Chinese flag, six-time major winner Swiatek was made to work unexpectedly hard against Chinese qualifier Yuan Yue.
The Polish second seed, who will complete a career Grand Slam of all four majors if she breaks her Australian Open duck, eventually saw off her spirited opponent 7-6, 6-3.
“I was a bit rusty at the beginning,” Swiatek said. “For sure many ups and downs, but overall I have some stuff to work on.”