$180k stunner as Aus Open curse finally broken; 29-year first in stacked day for Aussies

In one of the biggest days for locals at the Australian Open in recent memory, a whopping 11 Aussies get their tournament underway on day two at Melbourne Park.

And there’s already been a major breakthrough, with Storm Hunter finally making the second round of her home slam after losing her five previous first-round matches on home soil.

Hunter becomes the first Australian woman into the second round of this year’s tournament, but plenty of other home hopefuls will be looking to join her on Monday.

DAY TWO LIVE BLOG: Follow all the action here!

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HUNTER STORMS INTO SECOND ROUND

Hunter, the world number one in doubles but ranked just 180th in singles, overcame a mid-match wobble to seal an impressive win, beating Italy’s Sara Errani 6-4 6-3.

Hunter, who came through qualifying, raced to a 5-1 lead against the former world number five, while defending the only break point she faced along the way.

She quickly brought up three set points on Errani’s serve but burned through all three as Errani fought back well, breaking the Australian and fighting back to 4-5.

But Hunter, who earns a cool $180,000 for reaching the second round, got her wayward serve back on track at the crucial time and served out the set 6-4, before sealing the next 6-3 on the back of some stronger serving and a reduced number of unforced errors.

Hunter’s singles record in the Grand Slams has been perennially frustrating, losing in the first round in nine of her ten prior main draw appearances. The only time she reached the second round was in the 2023 French Open, but she’s now finally broken her home-ground hoodoo with a milestone win.

Wearing the biggest smile you’ll see all tournament, 29-year-old Hunter said in her on-court interview: “Honestly that was perfect. I honestly couldn’t be happier!”

“It means everything. I grew up watching the Australian Open and I’ve had a lot of opportunities and I’m a little bit older and I’ve played a few main draws and never got through,” she added.

“To win my first round in singles is a dream come true. I’ve been waiting for it for a few years so (I’m) very happy to get it done here today.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play a lot of big matches in doubles and to finish number one in the world is insane. To come into my home slam, I am enjoying every moment out here.”

Hunter is also seeded third in the doubles draw, playing with a new partner in Czechia’s Katerina Siniakova, and is also set to compete in the mixed doubles.

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DREAM START FOR TEEN GUN ENDS IN SWIFT DEFEAT

18-year-old Aussie Taylah Preston enjoyed a dream start when she broke 19th-seed Elina Svitolina to love in the opening game of their first-round match.

Svitolina, a former world number three and three-time Slam semi-finalist, is competing in her 40th Grand Slam main draw, while it’s a first Slam main draw for the Aussie young gun who was handed a wildcard.

But Preston was immediately broken back to love, before the pair traded two more breaks.

Any hope of a staggering upset – and a first-ever win for the teen Aussie over a top-50 player – quickly faded, as Svitolina raced away to a 6-2 6-2 win in just 59 minutes.

Ukrainian Svitolina is a popular figure on tour – alongside husband Gael Monfils – after an impressive 2023 campaign where she returned after giving birth to daughter Skai. She is one of eight mothers competing in the women’s singles main draw this tournament.

WHAT ELSE TO WATCH

The only seeded local, world No. 10 Alex de Minaur, headlines the night session against the powerful former world No. 3 and semi-finalist Milos Raonic (from 7pm).

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And at least two Aussies are guaranteed to advance, because they’re playing a compatriot – with Alexei Popyrin battling Marc Polmans, plus Aleksandar Vukic facing Jordan Thompson, both in the afternoon.

It’s the first time in 29 years that the singles draw features two all-Aussie men’s match-ups.

“We’ve got so many Aussies now in the draw, at least some of us are bound to play each other,” Popyrin said.

Former world No. 20 Daria Saville and reigning Australian Open doubles champion Rinky Hijikata are also in action and considered strong chances to progress.

Chris O’Connell was the only Australian winner on Sunday, with Dane Sweeny, Adam Walton, and Jason Kubler all defeated on the opening day.

AUSSIES IN ACTION: DAY TWO

COMPLETED MATCHES

Kia Arena, from 11am: Storm Hunter (AUS) def. Sara Errani (ITA) 6-4 6-3