The final match of the day is over and Agnieszka Radwanska has beaten Tsvetana Pironkova 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 to reach the second round. That’s all from me for now. I’ll be back tomorrow with updates on matches involving Andy Murray, Nick Kyrgios, Bernard Tomic and Dan Evans. Until then. Bye.
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Facing a match point, Naomi Broady goes for broke with a forehand – but it lands just wide, bringing her tournament to a premature end. It’s heartbreaking for Broady, but she can take heart from a largely solid performance, even though it was enough to secure her place in the second round. Daria Gavrilova was more consistent in the key moments, only a couple of points here and there making the difference, and the ecstatic Australian 22nd seed secures a gutsy 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 win over her close friend.
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Agnieszka Radwanska has steadied the ship in the third set, sailing into calmer waters as she breaks to lead 3-0 in the third set against Tsvetana Pironkova. Meanwhile Naomi Broady is serving to stay in the match again.
Naomi Broady serves immaculately to hold for 5-all. She’s played very well. Will it be enough to reach the second round, however? Daria Gavrilova isn’t giving anything away either.
Daria Gavrilova holds off a stiff challenge from Naomi Broady and leads 5-4. Broady will serve to stay in the match, conscious of the fact she was broken at this stage of the second set.
Naomi Broady is displaying such toughness, saving a break point to hold serve for 4-all in the third set. Over to you, Daria Gavrilova. The tension is growing.
Tsvetana Pironkova didn’t look like the toughest of opponents for Agnieszka Radwanska in the first set on Rod Laver Arena. Better late than never, though. She takes the second set 6-4 to level the match against the third seed, who took the first 6-1.
Naomi Broady holds for 3-all in the third set. Then she spots an insect wandering around near the baseline, so she picks it up with both hands and guides it away to safety.
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Tsvetana Pironkova breaks again in the second set against Agnieszka Radwanska to lead 4-3. The Bulgarian is determined to force a decider.
Here’s a report on Ivo Karlovic’s marathon win over Horacio Zeballos earlier. Just the 75 aces from the Croatian.
It’s going into a decider on Margaret Court Arena. Naomi Broady saves one set point with a vicious forehand winner, but an errant backhand flies wide and hands a resurgent Daria Gavrilova the second set. The momentum is with the home favourite now. Meanwhile Agnieszka Radwanska has broken back against Tsvetana Pironkova in the second set.
Daria Gavrilova is wheeling her arm manically, just like Kris Akabusi, after holding to love for a 5-4 in the second set. Naomi Broady is under pressure now, serving to keep the set alive.
Naomi Broady is performing commendably on Margaret Court Arena, bouncing back to break back when the unpredictable Daria Gavrilova sends a forehand long. Gavrilova leads 4-3 and Broady looks the livelier player at the moment.
For all the stylishness of her game, Agnieszka Radwanska has never won a grand slam, the Pole often lacking the requisite power to cut it with physically tougher players. I suspect a lot of people would like to see her win one, though, because she is one of the most watchable players on the tour. She’s moving along smoothly enough today, taking the first set 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena – but as I write that, Tsvetana Pironkova breaks in the first game of the second set.
Daria Gavrilova has made an excellent start to the second set after losing her way in the first. After an early break, she leads 3-0. Meanwhile Agnieszka Radwanska is dominating Tsvetana Pironkova. The cunning Pole leads 5-1 in the first set.
It’s finally all over on Court 19 and what a comeback it was from Ivo Karlovic! The 20th seed trailed by two sets to Horacio Zeballos, but he’s through to the second round after winning 6-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 22-20. It was no Isner-Mahut, of course, but it did last five hours and 14 minutes and Karlovic, 37 years old, hammered down an astonishing 75 aces to break the previous tournament record.
Her nerves are just fine. Naomi Broady stays cool to earn two set points and she takes the first, attacking with a diagonal backhand before charging to the net to overpower Gavrilova with a heavy forehand volley.
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Naomi Broady breaks to lead 5-3! Daria Gavrilova is looking flustered, pulling out a range of bizarre facial expressions after wafting a shot long on a break point, and Broady will serve for the first set. How are her nerves?
In the final match of the day on Rod Laver Arena, Agnieszka Radwanska faces the accomplished Bulgarian outsider, Tsvetana Pironkova. Radwanska is the third seed and she’s started the year well, but Pironkova has the talent to cause an upset.
They’re still going on Court 19. Ivo Karlovic leads 20-19, but Horacio Zeballos looks likely to hold.
They’ve shared a break apiece at the start of the first set on Margaret Court Arena. Daria Gavrilova struck first, but Naomi Broady has responded positively.
Djokovic through to round two
A brilliant performance from Novak Djokovic and the defending champion is up and running after a 6-1, 7-6, 6-2 win over the erratic Fernando Verdasco. After all his troubles last year, how Djokovic needed a strong start to his favourite tournament. He’s made a big statement and on this evidence is likely to take some beating over the next fortnight. He’ll face either Denis Istomin or Ivan Dodig in the next round. Istomin is a break up in the fourth set and closing in on victory.
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They’re still going on Court 19. Ivo Karlovic leads 17-16 against Horacio Zeballos in the fifth set. Who’ll blink first? Will anyone blink first?
Novak Djokovic is a game away from the second round. He leads 5-2 in the third set and Fernando Verdasco will serve to keep the match alive.
Next on Margaret Court Arena, it’s Australia’s Daria Gavrilova versus Britain’s Naomi Broady. The players have emerged for what could be an exciting match. Gavrilova, the 22nd seed, is the rightful favourite, but Broady could be a tricky opponent for her if she plays with belief.
Barbora Strycova, the 16th seed, had no problems against Elizaveta Kulichkova on Court 2. She wins 6-3, 6-2 against the Russian.
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Christopher O’Connell gets a huge ovation from the home fans on Margaret Court Arena, but the best the Australian can manage is a quick wave before disappearing from view. He’s got a grim expression on his face as he walks off because he was no match for Grigor Dimitrov, who marches into the second round after a serene 7-6, 6-3, 6-3 win.
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The Bulgarians on Margaret Court Arena are having a whale of a time. Their boy is a game away from the second round. Grigor Dimitrov leads 7-6, 6-3, 5-2 against Christopher O’Connell.
Novak Djokovic is speeding towards the second round now. A flat Fernando Verdasco double faults and Djokovic breaks at the start of the third set.
In the epic on Court 19, Ivo Karlovic leads 12-11 in the fifth set. Horacio Zeballos is about to serve.
Novak Djokovic wins the second set 7-6 to lead by two sets
Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 7-4 Verdasco (*denotes server): Djokovic only needs one, Verdasco netting a backhand. It’s unlikely that the Spaniard is going to come back from this position.
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Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 6-4 Verdasco (*denotes server): Verdasco sends a horrid backhand slice miles past the baseline. His technique was woeful there and Djokovic has two set points.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic 5-4 Verdasco* (*denotes server): Verdasco nets a backhand at the end of a long rally.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic 4-4 Verdasco* (*denotes server): Djokovic seizes control of the rally with a huge forehand down the line and Verdasco can’t muster a response.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 3-4 Verdasco (*denotes server): Djokovic is off balance when he hits a low backhand, netting to hand the advantage to Verdasco.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 3-3 Verdasco (*denotes server): Verdasco causes damage with a backhand from right to left and Djokovic nets a forehand.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic 3-2 Verdasco* (*denotes server): Verdasco opens up the court with a forehand into the left corner and puts away a high overhead.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic 3-1 Verdasco* (*denotes server): Verdasco gets himself on the board with a backhand at the net.
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Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 3-0 Verdasco (*denotes server): As hard as Verdasco hits his forehand, there’s no way through Djokovic. Verdasco eventually sends a backhand long.
Second set tie-break: Djokovic* 2-0 Verdasco (*denotes server): Verdasco tries a lob, but it’s too low and Djokovic taps away a volley at the net.
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Second set tie-break: Djokovic 1-0 Verdasco* (*denotes server): Djokovic pummels a forehand away.
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Djokovic holds. We will have a tie-break.
Fernando Verdasco is showing immense character at times. He saves three set points and holds for 6-5. The worry for the Spaniard has to be that his level is so inconsistent, though, exhilarating highs followed by far too many lows.
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From 0-30, Djokovic holds his nerve and holds his serve. Verdasco is annoyed. It’s 5-all in the second set. Meanwhile Grigor Dimitrov leads 7-6, 6-3 against Christopher O’Connell on Margaret Court Arena.
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Fernando Verdasco saves break points and clenches his fists after holding for 5-4 in the second set, heaping the pressure on to Novak Djokovic’s shoulders. After a forgettable first set, the drama is rising.
Ivo Karlovic is breaking serving records again. He leads 7-6 now. That serve will probably keep him going for ever.
Ivo Karlovic has 52 aces to break Joachim Johansson's Australian Open record of 51. Karlovic leads Horacio Zeballos at 6-5 in fifth set.
— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) January 17, 2017
Djokovic does break back again. Verdasco hands him a break point with a double fault and a roaring Djokovic converts thanks to an excellent backhand return that forces the Spaniard to hit wide. Verdasco leads 3-2, but it’s not difficult to see where this is heading.
Grigor Dimitrov takes the first set on a tie-break against Christopher O’Connell. But the real story is on Rod Laver Arena, where intrigue is rising and Fernando Verdasco is beginning to spit acid in the direction of Novak Djokovic. Ferocious hitting from the Spaniard sees him break once more for a 3-1 lead in the second set. Will Djokovic break back again?
Gaël Monfils, a quarter-finalist last year and noticeably more consistent of late, is into the second round. The sixth seed was handed a potentially thorny draw, but he was far too strong for Jiri Vesely, beating the Czech 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. Meanwhile Germany’s Andrea Petkovic has beaten Kayla Day 6-3, 6-2.
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But Djokovic breaks straight back. Verdasco balloons a forehand and aims a furious tirade at his box. He’s only got himself to blame. They’re back on serve and you suspect Djokovic is going to punish him.
Fernando Verdasco appears to have woken up on Rod Laver Arena. The Spaniard has suddenly started to play some scorching tennis and that’s enough for him to break for a 2-0 lead at the start of the second set against Novak Djokovic.
It looked unlikely when he trailed by two sets, but Jordan Thompson has braved the sweltering heat to defeat Joao Sousa in five. It was surprisingly routine in the end, Thompson winning 6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.
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Ah, the impetuosity of youth. What did this racquet ever do to Alex Zverev? The German’s great fun to watch, mind you.
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Timea Bacsinszky will be one relieved woman after defeating Camila Giorgi 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. She could have this one wrapped up much earlier, only to drop serve when she had the match on her racquet at 5-3 in the third set, but the 12th seed had too much for the Italian in the end.
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Novak Djokovic has taken the first set 6-1. This isn’t the classic we were promised!
Fernando Verdasco is finally on the board, holding serve when Djokovic cracks a forehand into the net. Djokovic leads 5-1, however, despite the encouraging applause from the crowd.
David Ferrer has cruised into the second round, handing out a lesson to young Omar Jasika. it finishes 6-3, 6-0, 6-2 to the 21st seed.
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Ivo Karlovic looked down and about an hour or two ago. Not so now. The 20th seed has fought back from two sets down to force a decider against Horacio Zeballos.
Novak Djokovic likes this court, doesn’t he. Fernando Verdasco nets a forehand and Djokovic breaks again to lead 4-0 in the first set.
No such problems for Ana Konjuh, though. The Croatian has breezed past Kristina Mladenovic, beating her 6-4, 6-2.
That topsy-turvy match on Court 13 has taken another dizzying lurch, with Camila Giorgi breaking just when Timea Bacsinszky served for the match. Whatever next?
A sluggish start from Fernando Verdasco, fierce returning from Novak Djokovic, and there’s already been a break on Rod Laver Arena. Djokovic appears to be in an ominous mood.
Having saved those two match points, Borna Coric had a set point in the fourth set tie-break against Alexandr Dolgopolov, but he blew it with a wild forehand. Dolgopolov went on to earn another match point and the Ukrainian let out a huge roar after finally seeing off his stubborn Croatian adversary with a 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 win.
The tide has completely turned on Court 2. Australia’s Jordan Thompson trailed by two sets; now he’s a break up in the fifth against Joao Sousa. Elsewhere Gael Monfils, the sixth seed and a quarter-finalist last year, leads by a set and a break against Jiri Vesely, while Hyeon Chung leads by two sets against Renzo Olivo. On Court 13, meanwhile, Timea Bacsinszky has doused Camila Giorgi’s fire. The 12th seed leads 5-2 in the third set.
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They’re into a tie-break in the fourth set on Court 14 and Borna Coric, having already seen off one, saves a second consecutive match point with a stinging forehand down the line. Alexandr Dolgopolov might be beginning to wodner if this is going to be his day.
The players have emerged on the show courts for the start of the evening sessions. Grigor Dimitrov will be hoping to provide a demonstration of his improved focus against Christopher O’Connell on Margaret Court Arena, but the main show’s on Rod Laver Arena, where Novak Djokovic is about to take on the explosive Spaniard, Fernando Verdasco. The world No2 - doesn’t it seem strange to call Djokovic the world No2? - beat Verdasco in Doha recently, but he had to save five match points before winning that semi-final. After the way Djokovic unravelled in the second half of 2016, don’t be surprised if there’s an upset here. Verdasco, a former semi-finalist, beat Nadal last year and he can be unplayable when he’s in the mood. “If there’s any more difficult first round match-ups, I don’t think so,” Boris Becker, Djokovic’s recently departed coach, says. Still, the last of Verdasco’s four wins over Djokovic came seven years ago, and he’s about to take on the defending champion, who’s won this tournament six times.
Things are looking ominous for Omar Jasika, who trails 6-3, 5-0 against David Ferrer. The young Australian could do with some of Jordan Thompson’s fighting spirit floating over from Court 2 to Hisense Arena. His compatriot was two sets down against Joao Sousa, but he’s forced a decider.
It’s been said that Borna Coric has Djokovician qualities, such as the ability to outlast his opponents during long, physically demanding rallies. Well, he’s just saved a match point after a baseline slog, forcing deuce when Dolgopolov netted a tired forehand. On they go. Coric holds for 5-all in the fourth set when Dolgopolov slaps a backhand into the net.
Alexandr Dolgopolov served for the match against Borna Coric on Court 14. They’re still going, though, because Coric has broken back. Now the Croatian is serving to stay in the match. Meanwhile Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic has walloped China’s Shai Zheng 6-0, 6-4. Ouch.
Camila Giorgi made hard work of it, wasting a host of set points and saving a couple of break points, but she got there in the end to take the second set 6-3 against Timea Bacsinszky. It looked like she was about to choke, but she managed to hold it together, something David Ferrer is doing with ease over on Hisense Arena, where the 21st seed has taken the first set 6-3 off Australia’s Omar Jasika.
Here’s Kevin Mitchell’s report from Melbourne on Heather Watson’s win over Sam Stosur.
The fightback is on over on Court 2! Australia’s Jordan Thompson has dug deep to take the third set 6-3, although it’s still a long way back from here. Joao Sousa leads 7-6, 6-4, 3-6. Meanwhile Alexandr Dolgopolov is ruthlessly stamping out Borna Coric’s resistance. He leads 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 and it doesn’t look like this will be the tournament when Coric will turn his potential into something more substantial. But while young gun licks his wounds, another squeezed through earlier. What a player Alex Zverev, the 19-year-old German, could turn out to be. And what a contest it was against Robin Hasse of the Netherlands. Zverev edged it in the end, winning 6-3 3-6 5-7 6-3 6-2, and he’ll be one to watch in round two. The same might apply to South Korea’s Hyeon Chung. The 20-year-old is in action on Court 12 now and has snaffled the first set 6-2 against Argentina’s Renzo Olivio.
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Camila Giorgi might have sunk to 74th in the WTA rankings, but the punchy Italian is dangerous on her day and she’s making life tricky for Timea Bacsinszky, the 12th seed. Having lost the first set 6-4, Giorgi is serving at 5-3 in the second and Bacsinszky is showing signs of frustration.
Thirty-eight years old and still going strong, the wily old Czech, Radek Stepanek, took the hard route through qualifying to reach the first round. Getting into the second round has proved easier for him, however – he’s just thumped Dmitry Tursunov 6-2, 7-6, 6-3.
An intriguing contest out on Court 14. Alexandr Dolgopolov, who’s never quite made the most of his early potential, took the first two sets against the young Croatian, Borna Coric. They’re into a fourth, however, after Coric won the third 6-3.
Play is yet to begin in the evening sessions on Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena. The first matches on those courts will be Novak Djokovic versus Fernando Verdasco, conqueror of Rafa Nadal last year, and Grigor Dimitrov versus unseeded Aussie Christopher O’Connell. Right now, however, they’re underway on Hisense Arena, where David Ferrer faces the Australian teenager, Omar Jasika. They’re still on serve early in the first set. Less promisingly from a home perspective, Jordan Thompson is sinking against the talented Portuguese Joao Sousa, who leads by two sets.
Hello and welcome to our rolling coverage of day two of the Australian Open. But wait a moment! Day two’s been underway for a good few hours already, so before we turn our attention to the likes of Novak Djokovic and Agnieszka Radwanska, let me just run through what’s already happened today.
From a British perspective, it’s difficult to know where to begin. On the women’s side, the British No1, Johanna Konta, has made a fine start to her campaign, raising hopes that she could better last year’s run to the semi-final by defeating Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium 7-5, 6-2, while Heather Watson has raised a few eyebrows by scoring a hugely impressive win over Australia’s Sam Stosur, defeating the 18th seed and former US Open champion 6-3, 3-6, 6-0. That one was closer than it looks, but it’s a mighty way for Watson to begin her year after her struggles in 2016. Meanwhile on the men’s side, the rising Kyle Edmund is through to the second round after a routine win over Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo.
What else? Well, Serena Williams might no longer be the world No1, but she looked in fine fettle in her straight sets win over Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic, easily sidestepping that potential banana skin, and Rafa Nadal, fit again after injury decimated his 2016 season, made sure there was no repeat of last year’s first round exit by seeing off Florian Mayer for the loss of just 11 games. Milos Raonic, the third seed, is also through after seeing off the unpredictable Dustin Brown in relaxed style.
But we must move on. There’s tennis to cover.
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