Defending champion Jannik Sinner battled back from a first-set error to beat wildcard Tristan Skookette at the Australian Open, while Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis were held back by The injury forced him to withdraw from the doubles match.

Sinner was initially irritated by local Hope Schoolkate but regained her composure to advance to the third round with a 4-6 6-4 6-1 6-3 victory.

The world’s No. 1 sinner has won 30 of his last 31 matches and has not lost a set in 15 matches since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in Beijing last October.

“It’s always difficult to play against a player I’ve never played against before, and he started off really well and served really well,” top-seeded Sinner said.

“I have to be really happy with my performance and never take anything for granted and I’m really happy to get to the next round. I can improve, yes, but I’ll take it.”

Sinner hopes to build on last year’s hard-court Grand Slam wins in Melbourne and New York, and his next target is the American world No. 46 Marcos Giron.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis withdraw from doubles match

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis attempted to repeat their 2022 Australian Open doubles victory, but the latter retired after being unable to continue in the first round.

Kokkinakis was advised not to play against compatriots James Duckworth and Alex Vukic after aggravating an arm injury in the five-set singles defeat. Wednesday vs. UK No. 1 Jack Draper.

“I may need a serious surgery now. I have to talk to as many specialists as possible,” Kokkinakis told reporters after retiring 7-5 3-2 behind.

“I couldn’t serve, couldn’t hit a high forehand. I was in pain. I wanted to see if I could be competitive even without serving.

“Just wanting to be out there with the big man again. It’s such a great memory. We knew there was a big crowd waiting for us.”

Kyrgios offers advice after Monday’s first-round loss to Scot Jacob Fearnley He may never play singles in his home Grand Slam againbut he is willing to continue playing doubles with his friends.

“I think with all the potential and fitness, we can always do some damage in the doubles. Obviously, I felt like the crowd tonight was ready to explode from the get-go,” Kyrgios said.

“Personally, I don’t think I’m going to play any more singles than I did at a high level this year. Doubles is a little easier on the body. I think we can still play amazing doubles.”

Fritz will donate winnings to Los Angeles wildfires

American Taylor Fritz is donating his first round of winnings to help those affected by the California wildfires.

The fourth seed advanced to the third round after beating Chilean Christian Garin 6-2 6-1 6-0 and later revealed he would be donating A$132,000 (approximately £67,000) to relief efforts.

“I just want everyone to stay safe, it’s crazy what happened,” said Fritz, who once lived in Los Angeles and said family and friends were affected.

“I want to say something after the first round, but I’m going to donate my first round winnings to the Los Angeles Wildfire Relief Fund. It’s really the least I can do.

“Southern California is my home, Los Angeles has been my home for a long time, so I’m just trying to help out in any way I can. I would encourage anyone who can donate to do the same because a lot of people really need help.

“I have friends who were affected. Some of my family had to evacuate. The house where my brother grew up burned down.”

Fritz, who reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open last summer, has been brutal in Melbourne so far, losing just eight games in six sets.

The next person he faced was the 38-year-old Gael Monfilshe continued his excellent start to the season with a 7-5 6-3 7-6 (3) victory over Daniel Altmaier.

Monfils, who became Auckland’s oldest ATP Tour champion last weekend, feels he has nothing left to prove.

“I can end it now,” he said. “I think I’ve done what I wanted to do to a certain extent. If I do more, that’s a bonus. I’m happy. As I’ve been saying since day one, for me The most important thing is health. Tennis has given me everything imaginable, so I’ve been very lucky.”

Fonseca’s campaign comes to an end

Brazilian 18-year-old Joao Fonseca was eliminated by the Italians Lorenzo Sonego 6-7 (8-6) 6-3 6-1 3-6 6-3, defeating ninth seed Andrei Rublev in straight sets, marking his Grand Slam main draw debut.

Home favorites Alex de Minaur He has had no trouble so far, comfortably beating American Tristan Boyer, whose hometown has been severely affected by wildfires, 6-2 6-4 6-3. Serbian Miomir Kekmanovic Eliminated No. 18 seed Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets.

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