The best of morning match-ups
We’ve got Andy Murray up against Indian Yuki Bhambri, Bernard Tomic taking on German Tobias Kamke, and on Margaret Court Arena, Australian Jarmila Gajdosova facing off against Alexandra Dulgheru. The latter pair have never met before and we’ll be bringing you plenty of updates on how things are panning out for Gajdosova and another Aussie on-court early today, Marinko Matosevic.
Elsewhere, you’d think that 10th seed Girgor Dimitrov will probably have his way with the improbably-named German Dustin Brown (formerly a representative of Jamaica), an 83rd ranked battler who has never progressed beyond the 1st round at Melbourne.
Good morning all
And welcome to Day One of this 2015 Australian Open. It is indeed I, Russell Jackson, guiding you through the morning and afternoon sessions today before Jacob Steinberg takes over in the evening. I can confirm that the atmosphere around Rod Laver Arena is one of great anticipation. Hell, I even got close enough to the trophies this morning that I could have caused a diplomatic incident. Instead, in the style of nuffies the world over, I just got my phone out and took a photo.
There will plenty more excitement like that today, I assure you. Feel free to get in touch with me via email - russell.jackson@theguardian.com - or Twitter, with all your comments, predictions and observations throughout the day.
Russell Jackson is the man with the enviable task of guiding you through day one of play at the Australia Open 2015, before Jacob Steinberg takes over for the evening session. The sprawling Melbourne Park complex on the banks of the River Yarra is the place to be today, with all manner of big names set to grace the distinctive blue Plexicushion courts. Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova are some of the star names in action – a stellar line-up only outshone by the glare of Nick Kyrgios’ collection of bling. (The great Australian hope also starts his campaign today.) Russ should be in position shortly, but while he makes his way there, why not have a quick read of Kevin Mitchell’s tournament preview.
The locker room never sleeps, as Boris Becker likes to remind us. So, as contenders and dreamers exchange their ritual knowing glances in Melbourne this weekend, it is a restless place again, more so than in a long while, though. While Becker’s star student, the world No1, Novak Djokovic, is the firm favourite to win the men’s singles title at the 2015 Australian Open, picking the other semi-finalists is far more problematic.
Read the full story here.
