Fifth-seed Andrey Rublev survived a first round scare against Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild at the 2024 Australian Open. The Russian beat Seyboth Wild 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6(10-6) in a thrilling encounter in Melbourne.

Australian Open 2024, Day 1, Live Updates

With this win, Rublev made his seventh entry into the second round in eight showings at the Australian Open. The riveting contest saw Rublev battle to unleash his dominant groundstroke game against the World No. 78 player.

Despite the Brazilian’s commendable performance, it was Rublev who stole the show with a staggering 88 winners. His next aim is to maintain his winning streak by securing his sixth victory out of six games.

At a three-point deficit during the critical 6-5 match point in the final set, Seyboth Wild pulled off a stunning comeback and quickly gained a 3-0 advantage in the tiebreaker.

However, hopes of another astonishing upset were dashed when Rublev regained his momentum and rallied his way to the thrilling victory.

Speaking after his win, Rublev said he won’t forget this match, while adding that he was thinking about his friend Daniil Medvedev’s loss against Seyboth Wild at the 2023 French Open.

“I’m not going to forget this match. I was thinking about Daniil’s match at Roland Garros when I had my chances and couldn’t take them. Thiago is a super dangerous player, he was serving really hard, first and second serves, and hitting the ball really clean,” said Rublev.

SAKKARI DOWNS HIBINO

Greek tennis player Sakkari began her 2024 Australian Open journey with an efficient win, beating Japanese opponent Nao Hibino 6-4, 6-1 in just 71 minutes.

Prior to this, Sakkari triumphed in the United Cup where she won all of her three matches, marking a promising start to her 2024 season. This victorious start is a significant milestone for Sakkari, being the first time she’s won her opening four matches since 2021.

Notably, she’s returned to form at a Grand Slam, following her drop in performance in 2023 where she was knocked out in the first round of the last three majors.