An Australian capped off a remarkable comeback with a first round win, while a former champion’s horror streak at Melbourne got a whole lot worse as the search is for a new super fan of a former US Open champion.
Catch up on all the news from Day 2 at the Australian Open below!
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Follow our live updates and all the latest from Day 2 at the Australian Open below!
HUNTER’S ‘CRAZY’ COMEBACK JOURNEY
Australian qualifier Storm Hunter kicked off day two in perfect fashion for the host nation with an incredible comeback victory in many facets.
Hunter prevailed 6-4, 6-4 against Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Kia Arena.
The score line made it look more controlled than it really was, however, as the Australian came from behind in both sets – the Spaniard led 3-0 in the first set and 4-1 in the second.
Comebacks and doing things the hard way have been a theme for the 31-year-old.
At last year’s Australian Open, she was sitting in the commentary box as she was sidelined by a career-threatening injury.
The year prior, Hunter reached the third round at Melbourne Park in a career-best effort at a grand slam, and now she has the chance to once again reach those heights as unseeded American Hailey Baptiste awaits in the second round.
“Oh my gosh, I don’t know what to say. I just yeah I’m so full of joy being out here playing you know win or lose I don’t really care,” Hunter said in her post-match interview.
“I just want to come out and enjoy and put on a good show for everyone out here. And I’m just so happy. I’m playing good tennis and I absolutely loved commentating last year.
“Last year I was sitting up there with Val commentating these matches and now I’m out here playing, which is just crazy and I’m just so happy to be here.”
Hunter added of her recovery journey: “It’s hard to put into words. But yeah, I ruptured my Achilles in 2024. I was at my career best ranking number three in the world in doubles and almost top 100 singles.
“And, you know, coming back from an Achilles rupture was really tough mentally and physically.
“All the training. And to be back here playing really good tennis, like you said, I didn’t think I could be back playing at this level again. So I’m just so happy that all the hard work I’ve done with my team, it’s paid off and I can’t believe I get another match, another singles match.
“It’s crazy.”
The Queenslander has firmly established herself as a fan favourite in Melbourne, leading a rendition of ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi’ for the fans on Kia Arena.
FORMER CHAMPION SENT PACKING
2020 Australian Open Sofia Kenin has become the latest big name to exit this year’s tournament as she fell to fellow American Peyton Stearns 6-3, 6-2 on ANZ Arena.
The 27-year-old, who stunned six years ago when she downed Ash Barty in the semi-final on her way to winning the title, has struggled at Melbourne Park ever since becoming the youngest American woman since Serena Williams to become a grand slam champion.
Kenin’s straight sets defeat, which lasted only an hour and 15 minutes, was her fifth straight first round exit at the Australian Open.
Her best result since winning the title at Melbourne Park was only making the second round in 2021.
The 27th seed came into the tournament in underwhelming form, being beaten by Australia’s Maya Joint in the first round of the Adelaide International as well as being ousted in the second round of the Brisbane International.
Kenin has suffered injury and form issues since her Australian Open triumph, but has now departed back-to-back grand slams in the first round.
Credit must be given to Stearns, however, as she thumped 15 aces and 33 winners in a brutal display of hitting.
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‘NEED TO FIND HIM’: SEARCH ON FOR AUSSIE FAN
Former Wimbledon champion Emma Raducanu has found her new No. 1 fan at Melbourne Park.
The British star sealed a 6-4, 6-1 straight sets victory over Thailand’s Mananchaya Sawangkaew at Margaret Court Arena on Sunday evening, booking her spot in the second round of the Australian Open.
Throughout the contest, a man donning a yellow top repeatedly yelled words of encouragement for the 23-year-old from the stands, on multiple occasions shouting: “Come on, Raddo!”
Speaking courtside after the match, Raducanu extended an open invite for him to attend her upcoming games.
“I loved the support,” she said.
“To have that on my side in the big moments, it was a good spur of encouragement. He can come to any match. I just need to try to locate him.
“I hope he comes back.”
AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 2 ORDER OF PLAY
Show courts and Aussies – all times AEDT
Rod Laver Arena
Day session from 11:30am
[3] Coco Gauff (USA) vs Kamilla Rakhimova (UZB)
[LL] Mackenzie McDonald (USA) vs [6] Alex de Minaur (AUS)
Night session from 7pm
[Q] Yue Yuan (CHN) vs [2] Iga Swiatek (POL)
Pedro Martinez (ESP) vs [4] Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Margaret Court Arena
Day session from 11:30am
[11] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) vs Jesper de Jong (NED)
Simona Waltert (SUI) vs [4] Amanda Anisimova (USA)
Night session from 7pm
Donna Vekic (CRO) vs [8] Mirra Andreeva (RUS)
Mattia Bellucci (ITA) vs [12] Casper Ruud (NOR)
John Cain Arena
Day session from 11am
Nuno Borges (POR) vs [7] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)
[6] Jessica Pegula (USA) vs Anastasia Zakharova (RUS)
Not before 5pm
[Q] Yuliia Starodubtseva (UKR) vs Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS)
Not before 6:30pm
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) vs Alexandre Muller (FRA)
Kia Arena
From 11am
[Q] Storm Hunter (AUS) vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (ESP)
1573 Arena
Second match (est. 12:30pm)
Juan Manuel Cerundolo (ARG) vs [WC] Jordan Thompson (AUS)
[17] Victoria Mboko (CAN) vs [WC] Emerson Jones (AUS)
ANZ Arena
Second match (est. 12:30pm)
[WC] Priscilla Hon (AUS) vs [Q] Marina Stakusic (CAN)
Thiago Agustin Tirante (ARG) vs Aleks Vukic (AUS)
Court 6
Fourth match (est. 5pm)
Adrian Mannarino (FRA) vs [WC] Rinky Hijikata (AUS)
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