Madison Keys began her Australian Open title defense with a nervy 7-6(6) 6-1 victory over Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova on Tuesday, while fellow American Ben Shelton beat Ugo Humbert in a battle of southpaws to reach the second round.
Long queues formed outside Melbourne Park for a third straight morning, with many eager to watch Jannik Sinner, who takes on Hugo Gaston in his first hurdle on his way to a third straight victory at the year’s opening Grand Slam.
A year after her triumph on the blue courts Down Under, Keys ran into all kinds of trouble from the start at the Rod Laver Arena in her first match against Oliynykova, who was competing at a Grand Slam for the first time.
A double break thanks to some untimely double faults, Keys trailed 4-0 before fighting back, leveling at 4-4, but the American was dragged into a tie-break where the unorthodox Oliynykova sowed chaos with her deep, looping shots.
Oliynykova scored two set points, but Keys erased the deficit with some big signature shots to finally snatch a tense tie-break, punctuating her escape with a roar.
The second set was much more routine as Keys closed out the victory to set up a second round match against compatriot Ashlyn Krueger.
“It was amazing to get off the field for the first time since he left the field a year ago,” said a relieved Keys.
“Obviously I was very nervous at first, but I’m so happy to be back and playing here.
“I talked to Lindsay Davenport the other day and she reminded me that not many people can go and defend a Grand Slam. So I’m just trying to accept it and enjoy it. As nervous as I was at first, I’m glad I got through this match.”
It was even more success for the ‘Stars and Stripes’ when eighth seed Shelton, who lost to Sinner in last year’s semi-final, battled back to a 6-3 7-6(2) 7-6(5) victory over Humbert.
His compatriot Ethan Quinn also reached the second round with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 victory over 23rd seed Tallon Griekspoor.
The Italians advance
Wildcard Taylah Preston gave the home fans something to cheer about as she beat China’s Zhang Shuai 6-3 2-6 6-3 for her first Grand Slam victory, but Maya Joint was unable to join her in the second round, with the Australian number one losing 6-4 6-4 to Tereza Valentova.
Former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez was also eliminated after the 22nd seed lost 6-2 7-6(1) to Janice Tjen, who became the first Indonesian to win a match at the Australian Open in 28 years.
Lorenzo Musetti moved forward after Raphael Collignon retired while trailing 4-6 7-6(3) 7-5 3-2, the fifth seed’s victory setting up an all-Italian clash with Lorenzo Sonego.
Luciano Darderi beat Cristian Garin 7-6(5) 7-5 7-6(3) but did not stay long to celebrate, with the Italian 22nd seed rushing to the toilets after shaking his opponent’s hand.
World number two Sinner takes on Gaston in the evening session, before two-time Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka closes out play on the main show court against Antonia Ruzic.
