That’s it for the second’s day’s play. Let’s leave it with two departed Grand Slammers.
First, Naomi Osaka, after her defeat to Caroline Garcia.
“I thought it was a really good match. I felt like I did the best that I could possibly do. It was just really nice to be on Rod Laver again, hear the audience, how much they interacted with the match. That was fun. I don’t regret anything. I think I’ve learned a lot during this trip, both on the court and off the court. Also, I think I just played some really good people. It’s a little unfortunate.
“I wouldn’t say this comeback is how I thought because I’m delusional enough to think I could have won the tournament. I think my delusion is what allows me to win the tournaments. I think I just have to keep living day by day and training hard and playing a lot more matches, and hopefully my dreams will come true.”
And, of course, Andy Murray. This may be the last time.
Auger-Aliassime beats Thiem 6-3 7-5 6-7 5-7 6-3
Can Auger-Aliassime hold his nerve? It’s failed him before. He forces 15-15 with some powerplay. Then some huge forehands, that keep sending Thiem into the heavy rough for 30-15. Thiem sees his chance on a second serve but nets as he retreats. FAA to seal it? Two hours after he should have done? Yes, after a heavy delay for which he gets a warning, gets to the net. After four hours and 59 minutes, he’s through. Phew. It felt like that match would never end.
Thiem starts with a big serve as he attempts his latest rescue mission. FAA is waiting for him on the next, a big backhand return. Still, 30-15 comes next with another winner the 109th. Then 40-15. Auger-Aliassime will have to serve for his supper. Thiem holds with a volley at the net.
Auger-Aliassime has the bit between his teeth, and sails to 40-0 after a drive that is non-returnable. Then comes a double. But his serve holds and he requires one more game to win the longest match of his career. It’s 5-2.
It’s been high-quality but tense stuff. Few errors, too. Plenty of them. Thiem rouses himself to 4-2 with a backhand he crashes home. And enjoys the applause.
104 winners in this match.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 15, 2024
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Thiem holds for 1-3 down, closing it out with a neat lob. He looks dead on his feet as he wins the first point of the next game. FAA’s turn to tighten up? You bet. But not befor he comes to the net to level at 15-15. Then Thiem rages at what he thinks is a serve that went out. He ends up losing the next point and the match. It’s 4-1. Long way back for him.
Auger-Aliassime goes 3-0 up with a huge forehand winner. He’s in control. But is he though?
Auger-Aliassime seems in control of the second game but then appears to lose his bearings. Then it’s Thiem’s turn to wobble and at the net, the Canadian does it, claims a break. He’s 2-0 up. But we’ve been there before.
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Thiem seeks an early break, but is hauled back to deuce. This game, like every other, is being fought to the very apex. But Auger-Aliassime holds. Big relief for him.
Thiem goes to 30-0 up but then come nerves, and 30-30. There’s relief as he gets to set point. That’s served out with a skidder that can’t be returned. And there will be a fifth set. They’ve been out there four hours and 14 minutes.
The noises between these two resemble some kind of fighting set-piece from Games of Thrones. Sheers testosterone and adrenaline output. Both living on their nerves. They fight out a gianormous rally that ends up with three break points for Thiem, who will serve for the set at 6-5 up.
Auger-Aliassime breaks back! 5-5 in the fourth. Thiem actually concedes a point on his serve. That’s hardly happened all set. And makes an error to go to 30-30. Then FAA claims a break point. He’s delighted when Thiem tries the tennis rabona through his legs and nets. The break point is snaffled up and celebrated. Well.
So then, just Thiem and Auger-Aliassime out there. Where were we? Much the same as before, every game a battle. Thiem is 5-3 up in the fouth set, looking to take it to a fifth. Auger-Aliassime is serving to stay in the set. And does so, serving to love. Now, can Thiem see it through?
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Struff beats Hijikata 3-6 6-3 6-2 6-7 7-6
Struff blasts a serve for 1-0, then makes a decent return for 2-0. Then a massive forehand for 3-0. But he misses a forehand he attempts to scrape up from the floor. 3-1, then stop volleys for 4-1. Rinky can’t get there. And now Struff launches a backhand return for 5-1. He’s in full control. But then Hijikata picks up two more points, withstanding the barrage. 3-5. An almighty serve sends Rinky sprawling, then comes a volley Hikikata cannot dig up. 7-3 to Struff but an ace pegs him back one. Two serves to take Struff to the brink. The first is saved by a forehand winner.
Next comes some classic Becker/Stich serve and volley for 8-5. But a huge serve cannot be returned. 8-6. Now it’s 8-7…after a huge smash. Two more serves will do it, though. Then Struff chases down a mishit for two match points. A local seabird makes an intervention. Struff attempts a backhand volley and he’s too tight, the ball flies out. Can Rinky save himself? No, he can’t keep the ball out. That was a classic of early-round tennis and Struff, on his 10th appearance, makes it to the second round for only the second time.
Struff serve is just as big - if not bigger – as Hijikata’s, and he sails to 40-0 and a love hold. The pressure goes back on Rinky. There’s a smile from the home hero at 30-15 when Hijikata slips. But another big serve past the unsmiling German makes it 40-15. Then a Struff punch of the air after a fine return. But a huge cheer as he nets for 6-6 and the final, telling 10-point tie-breaker. Here we go.
Struff holds his serve and should he break Hijikata then he’s through. It’s 5-4 in the final set, and Struff’s first return is great. 0-15. But huge cheers for 15-15. “C’mon,” says Rinky as he clatters home a winner for 30-15. Struff crashes Rinky to the baseline and the next shot hits the net. 30-30. Massive cheer and a jumping celebration as Hijikata’s second serve is returned to him and then clobbered. Big serve and ace follows. It’s 5-5. No sleep till Ballarat.
Thiem is bang on it now. The pair of them making lots of manly noises as he goes 2-0 up in the fourth as he seeks to level the match.
Hijikata goes 4-2 up but then folds in the next game, and it’s soon at 4-3. We’re now at midnight Melbourne time. Tuesday it is. There’s a wobble from Hijikata who is 30-0 up to go 5-3 up, but a big serve skids past Struff. He’s a big server for one of 5’ 10”, the boy Rinky. Still, he concedes another to go deuce, and then Struff punches a winner for a break point. And Struff breaks back. 4-4.
Thiem has just broken Auger-Aliassime, and yeah, there’s a five-setter incoming there, too.
Bonus tennis: Hijikata and Struff are still at it, with the Sydney boy 3-2 up on Struff in the fifth set. Huge noise for the Aussie boy.
The tie-break is tight and tense. Auger-Aliassime goes 3-2 up then 4-2 up, and Thiem has to serve to stay afloat. Thiem then is angry with himself as he makes a mess to cough up 5-2. Good serve, an ace, for 5-3. But it’s Auger-Aliassime’s turn to make a mistake. 5-4 on his serve. He crashes two serves out for a double and 5-5. Then misses a glaring winner for 5-6. He’s furious with himself. Thiem can serve for the set, and he rushes to the net and smashes home. It’s 2-1 to Auger-Aliassime but he blew it, and Thiem is the playing roaring on the crowd.
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Yes, that tie-break will be happening between Auger-Aliassime and Thiem. 6-6 is reached via a love-service game.
Rinky Hijikata has just broken Struff and then followed up by serving to go 2-0 up. Orgiastic scenes on Court Three.
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Ok, back to Thiem v Auger-Aliassime, where Thiem has served to go 6-5 up in the third set. There’ll be a tie-break at the least. A five-setter at the most.
And Rinky has done it…it’s a fifth set.
We're going to a 5th set here on Show Court 3. The court is rocking as Rinky Hijikata levels the match. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/lrcHCMCI2D
— Michael Shillito (@tealfooty) January 15, 2024
Full report to follow on Osaka’s loss. The Japanese player’s post-match quotes to follow, too, when we get them. Meanwhile, Auger-Aliassime and Thiem rolls on but Auger-Aliassime is nearing victory. As for Australia’s Rinky Hijikata, he seems to be taking Struff to a fifth set, having taken a commanding lead in the tie-breaker.
On Alex de Minaur’s walkover that was rather less than a walkover until Raonic’s hip injury happened.
Caroline Garcia speaks: “I have a lot of respect for [Osaka] as a player and a person. In 15 months, she’s been through a lot. She’s a great girl. Six months after giving birth she’s playing quite amazing. I will remember this match for many years. I managed to stay solid and stay aggressive to the end.”
Garcia beats Osaka 6-4 7-6
Garcia’s serve down the line takes it 2-1. Osaka takes a gamble and wins on her second serve for 2-2. She’s then sent down the wrong line by a forehand just as a rally seemed set in place. 3-2 and the serve to Garcia. Then comes 4-2. Then a boomer down the line for 5-2. Osaka has a long way back now. Then a whipped forehand for 6-2 and four match points. A really long way back now…and Osaka nets after a short rally. That’s a great win for Garcia. Osaka played well, if a little rustily after 15 months away. She’s on the road back but came up against an inspired opponent.
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Hijikata and Struff is stuck on deuce at 5-4 in the fourth set for what seems like eons. The home hero Rinky is taking the applause. But Struff holds. And it’s 5-5.
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Garcia faults at 30-15, and is her serve wobbling at last? “Vamos,” says Garcia, as Osaka fails to read a lob on 40-15. Then another double gets the crowd going. Then comes an almighty ace, and into the tie-breaker.
Osaka’s serve is now 6-5 up after some equally good serving. Garcia serves to stay in the set, and to force a tie-breaker. All three matches left out there are finely balanced but teetering, too.
Struff and Hijikata sees Struff serving to stay in the fourth set. It’s raucous out on Court Three.
Garcia’s serve – and her drop shot – reign supreme. From 0-15 down, she serves to make it 5-5. Here’s where the nerves come into play.
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Tumaini Carayol is our man in Melbourne and he hears Andy Murray all but deliver the last rites on his love affair with the Australian Open: five-time finalist, five-time loser. That probably still smarts.
I won’t win many matches playing that way. Practice is not the same thing. I’m totally aware of that. I also know what good tennis is. I’ve played well before. I know in the last week, 10 days, how well I was playing against the best players in the world.
Garcia holds now, and with some ease. Her serve remains the stronger. All the pressure goes back on Osaka.
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Osaka holds, and her serve is coming to the fore, with nine aces. It’s 4-3 in the second set. All to play for.
Garcia and Osaka are at 2-2 in the second set but Garcia’s serve remains the stronger.
Left out there, just three matches now. Australa’s Rinky Hijikata v Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany, who is two sets to one up, going with serve in the fourth.
Big serving from Auger-Aliassime takes him to 40-15 and set point. Thiem on the ropes but he produces a backhand winner to stay in the set. Just. But he can’t hold off FAA. It’s 7-5 and two sets up to the Canadian.
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Auger-Aliassime v Thiem has been the predicted war: they’re still in the second set, but now FAA will serve for the second set at 6-5. Looks like they will be the last players out there.
Garcia took the first set 6-4, and then Osaka claims the first game of the second set. Long way back for the American Japanese player and relatively new mum. To clarify any confusion: Osaka plays under the flag of Japan despite residing in the USA, having been born in Japan.
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Big hold for Osaka, who faced down two Garcia break points and it’s 4-3 in the first set to the French player.
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Osaka’s serve is not holding up so well and Garcia goes a break up, 3-2 in the first set.
Garcia and Osaka begins as an even contest, with Garcia’s big serve levelling the first set at 2-2.
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Felix Auger-Aliassime, who won the first set 6-3, is seeking a break from Dominic Thiem, who gets lucky with a net-cord shot, for which he is halfway apologetic. But then misses a winner. And FAA gets it, and leads 2-1 in the second set, and he’s next to serve. He’s in control – for now.
Some local colour from Jack Snape here.
By the early afternoon the Australians in the Melbourne Park crowds had already been rewarded. Rockhampton-born, Perth-bred, Melbourne-based Storm Hunter started the day by winning her first main draw singles match at the tournament, defeating Italian Sara Errani in straight sets. The doubles world No 1 was taken aback by the level of support. There, just for her.
Now, Naomi Osaka heads into the unknown, as she takes on Caroline Garcia, the 16th seed. They are out on Rod Laver.
Raonic retires hurt against De Minaur
He was limping and could no longer carry on. He offers his hand in acknowledgement he can no longer play on. That’s said. This one was shaping up well. De Minaur seems a bit taken aback. The word is that it’s a recurrence of a hip injury.
De Minaur speaks. “First of all, I hope he has a speedy recovery. Not great to see him like this. He deserves to be healthy and playing incredible tennis like he has done for so many years. Hopefully he is back in no time.”
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De Minaur gets an early break and it’s 2-0 in the third set. Thiem and Auger-Aliassme are slugging it out but the latter, after 53 minutes, collects the break and is 5-3 up in the first set.
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De Minaur had three set points on Raonic but suddenly at 5-3, the Canadian has his route back into the set with a break point. But De Minaur holds and after one hour and 40 minutes it’s 1-1 on sets and the home flags are flying.
Murray: 'A tough, tough way to finish.'
More Murray quotes, per PA Media: “It’s a definite possibility that will be the last time I play here. I think probably because of how the match went and everything.
“While you’re playing the match, you’re obviously trying to control your emotions, focus on the points and everything. When you’re one point away from the end, you’re like, ‘I can’t believe this is over so quickly, and like this’.
“In comparison to the matches that I played here last year, it’s the complete opposite feeling walking off the court. I wish I involved the crowd more. Just disappointed with the way I played and all of that stuff. (It’s a) tough, tough way to finish.”
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Some Andrew Murray quotes, and it seems like it could be the end. “I have an idea of when I would probably like to finish playing. Yeah, so much of that depends on how you’re playing. The time frame for that narrows when you play and have results like today.”
Now, another Canadian is on court, and it’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, who will take on Dominic Thiem. This too, has the look of a five-setter. De Minaur, meanwhile, having lost the first set, is 4-2 up on Raonic in the second set.
Other news: Ugo Humbert, the 21st seed, progresses in four sets over David Goffin 6-2 7-5 5-7 6-3 to win. He celebrated with a very manly roar.
“I decided to rest a bit and concentrate on this tournament,” says Jabeur. “Last year wasn’t so good here so I was a little bit stressed. I’m a very bad tourist, basically my life is hotel here, I’m enjoying the restaurant as I love food.”
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Jabeur beats Starodubtsewa 6-3 6-1
Ons Jabeur meanwhile, is having no such problems in the second set. Yulia Starodubtsewa has no answer and the second set is a breeze.
The tie-breaker is tense, too. A packed crowd roaring on their local boy – even if De Minaur is from Sydney – there’s some fist-pumping when De Minaur scrabbles to 3-3 and then 4-3. Raonic’s first serve remains too hot to handle, but he makes a mess of a clear winner when his opponent is all at sea. He crashes into the net for 4-5. But a double fault from De Minaur…oh. Then Raonic nets, and it’s set point on his serve. That’s saved by a beauty, on the very corners of the line for 6-6. And now he has a set point at 7-6 up. And then De Minaur’s second serve is out, too. Or was it his second shot? Either way, that’s the Canadian one set up.
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Yep, De Minar v Raonic is going the distance in the first set. It’s 5-5. And a tie-break it is.
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Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian two-time grand slam finalist, was having a few problems with Yulia Starodubtsewa, a 17-year-old from Ukraine but has just taken the first set 6-4 in the Margaret Court Arena.
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Alex De Minaur versus Milos Raonic – Australia v Canada – is on at the Rod Laver Arena and it looks likely to go long. Raonic is a huge server, and that asks an awful lot of the local lad. It goes with serve in the first set: 3-4.
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Elsewhere at Melbourne Park:
Here’s the sad story of the day, with more details to follow.
As for Murray, let’s see what else we hear from him today. He’ll be doing a press conference, and we’ll bring you the key quotes. And as for plucky Brits, it’s two defeats from two, with Jodie Burrage losing yesterday. That was only his second opening-round defeat at the Australian Open in 16 years. The five-time finalist, his only other defeat in the first round since 2008 came five years ago in an emotional five-setter against Roberto Bautista Agut after Murray had revealed the extent of his hip problems. That was the night it was widely reported his career was over. It wasn’t. But he’s never been the same player since.
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Etcheverry says the first set, all 61 minutes of it was the key. “I saw the clock, a long battle, I know it’s bad for me, and I tried to focus on my game. I want to keep going and improve my game.” He is polite enough to call Murray “a legend”.
Etcheverry beats Murray 6-4 6-2 6-2
The Argentinian was just too good for Murray, whose fitness was not there. It’s five years since it was declared that Murray was finished and would retire. Those questions will be ringing out now.
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Preamble
Good morning, g’day etc. It’s the second day in Melbourne Park and we begin our blog with the bad news. Andy Murray is heading out in straight sets to Tomás Martín Etcheverry. The first set was a war, in the usual fashion, but the Argentine has had all his own way since then.
