Novak Djokovic enjoyed a stunning reception on his return to the Australian Open on Tuesday and Andy Murray repeated the years to stun Matteo Berrettini in the classics.
On a day of Russian flag bans and weather disruptions, two of the sport’s biggest names belatedly brought tennis back into focus in Melbourne.
Title favourite, Djokovic, 35, is back after being deported last year for his stance on the Covid vaccine.
If the Serbian was worried about how he would be received by the crowd at Melbourne Park, he needn’t have been – the nine-time Australian Open champion walked off to a roaring cheer.
With “Nole” chants in the background, Djokovic dispatched 75th-ranked Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain at Rod Laver Arena, 6-3, 6-4, 6-0, to advance to the second round.
“Thank you for giving me the welcome reception I could only dream of,” said Djokovic, who is seeking a record-equalling 22nd major title.
“I am very happy to be back in Australia and on the field where I have had the most success of my career.”
Before that, the day belonged to another 35-year-old in Murray – and Melbourne’s famous fickle weather.
The Brit saved a match point to beat Italian 13th seed Berrettini 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (10/6) in 4 hours 49 minutes at Rod Laver Arena. the roof was closed because it was too hot.
“I will feel it this evening and tomorrow,” said the former world number one, who is playing hip metal after career-saving surgery.
“But now it’s unbelievable and proud of me.”
Also in the men’s draw, Norwegian second seed Casper Ruud struggled into the second round with a 6-3, 7-6 (8/6), 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 loss to Tomas Macchac.
The match ended after 1:00 p.m.
“It’s been a long day today,” said Ruud, after starting a campaign that could see him become world number one.
Earlier, Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev ended 2020 tournament finalist Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius (96.8 Fahrenheit).
As the mercury rises, the heat forces the player to stop outside the court. The roofs are closed at the three main stadiums: Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena.
Play resumed on the outside court about three hours later, only to be interrupted again later in the afternoon when a storm hit, dumping heavy rain that eventually saw several matches postponed for the day.
Eighth seed Taylor Fritz, 12th seed Alexander Zverev and ninth seed Holger Rune are all through to the next round.
– Jabeur workers –
The draw of women spending is not a real shock.
Tunisian second seed Ons Jabeur, runner-up at Wimbledon and last year’s US Open, was far from her best but eventually beat Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek.
A shaky Jabeur won the first set in a tiebreak, lost the second set 6-4, then finally found his rhythm to claim a 6-1 decision.
“I just tried to follow what my coach told me,” she said of her turnaround in the third set.
“I didn’t do it and they were going to kill me after the match,” he joked.
Caroline Garcia and Aryna Sabalenka – the fourth and fifth seeds – had it easier as they entered the second round.
France’s Garcia needed just 65 minutes to defeat Canadian qualifier Katherine Sebov 6-3, 6-0 and cement her status as the first Grand Slam contender of the year.
Sabalenka beat Tereza Martincova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-4
26th seed Elise Mertens was the other winner. The Belgian beat former Melbourne finalist Garbine Muguruza of Spain, who was cramping before losing 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1.
– Russian flag ban –
Earlier on Tuesday, Tennis Australia banned the Russian and Belarusian flags after complaints from Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia.
Russia’s red, white and blue stripes were seen in at least two matches, with Ukrainian fans reportedly calling security and police into the stands.
“The ban is effective immediately,” Tennis Australia said.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian and Belarusian players usually compete under a neutral flag as independents, as happened at the Australian Open.