Cameron Norrie lost overnight while fellow Brit Emma Raducanu was victorious (Image: Getty)
became the to reach the second round of the Australian Open today.
And British No.1 will have the chance to complete the full half dozen when she plays in the evening session later.
But Cam Norrie struggled with illness as he was knocked out after failing to break the serve of former Matteo Berrettini.
Former champion Elena Rybakina revealed her suspended coach had helped her preparations for her first-round win.
And world No.13 Holger Rune came through a five-set battle against the Chinese No.1 Zhang Zhizhen while Gael Monfils won the French derby against big-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
There will be four British singles players in action on Wednesday – and ’s opponent has been involved in a public slanging match with an Aussie tennis legend…
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Raducanu survives serving shocker
The former US Open champion sent down 15 double faults with her new service action to reach the second round of the .
“I’m not sure what I changed in my serve today,” she said. “I think it had a mind of its own.” The British No.2 had her serve broken six times and won only one of her first 15 points on her second serve.
But she also fired down nine aces in her match of Russian roulette against No.26 Ekaterina Alexandrova to win 7-6 7-6 on breezy Court 3. There were 12 breaks of serve in all.
“I’m very pleased to have come through that match,” said Raducanu. “It was difficult. It was quite hot out there, getting quite sunny. Obviously playing against a really experienced and seeded opponent who is playing great tennis. I think I’m very proud of how I fought and how I overcame certain situations in that match.”
Matteo Berrettini got the better of Cameron Norrie (Image: Getty)
Norrie feeling down and out
The 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini fired down 32 aces as he blew away the British No.2 6-7 6-4 6-1 6-3 victory.
Norrie won six consecutive points from 1-4 down in the first set tiebreak to take the lead but then revealed he ran out of gas because of illness.
“I haven’t been able to prepare as well as I could,” he said. “I’ve been pretty sick in Auckland, then coming here. Just barely practiced. Honestly, I’ve been feeling the ball so well. Pre-season was excellent.
“It was a bit unfortunate with the timing. I definitely gave myself the best chance. Just hit the wall after like an hour and a bit. I was not able to stay sharp on the court. Most importantly just get my health back to 100 per cent, get some rest. Just tough to sustain that today.
“I think his serve is unbelievable, it’s very, very accurate. It’s not just the serve. He’s got a great forehand. Yeah, I think honestly I have a really good game to play him. I was not able to do that today.”
Thanasi Kokkinakis is in a war of words with Todd Woodbridge (Image: Getty)
Aussie civil war
’s next opponent at the has become embroiled in a row with a tennis legend before their second-round clash.
Thanasi Kokkinakis took painkillers for a longstanding shoulder injury and a leg muscle “tweak” as he beat Russian Roman Safiullin in four rowdy sets in Kia Arena on Monday night.
But Nick Kyrgios’ doubles partner then took on Todd Woodbridge over pre-tournament criticism from the former doubles champion over the world No.71.
The Channel Nine commentator slammed Kokkinakis for playing lucrative exhibition matches – including in last month – before pulling out of Adelaide last week.
But Kokkinakis hit back at nine-time champion Woodbridge, who hosts television game show Tipping Point Australia as well as covering tennis.
The 28-year-old said: “That’s fine trying to make a good living, as well. That’s why he’s trying to host every game show there is under the sun. We’re trying to make a living as much as he is.”
Woodbridge had said: “Scheduling is a really interesting thing with him. He went and played exhibition matches that he didn’t need to do.
“Yes, the money’s great and we all love putting that in our pocket and that’s exactly what he did, but that schedule’s hurt to start the year.”
Elena Rybakina needed less than an hour for her victory (Image: Getty)
Rybakina’s coach not in Melbourne Park
The world No.6’s coach Stefano Vukov has been provisionally suspended by the WTA during an investigation into his conduct against the Russian-born Kazakh.
Rybakina, who has appointed Goran Ivanisevic to her team, needed only 53 minutes to knock out teenage Aussie wildcard Emerson Jones 6-1 6-1 in Margaret Court Arena.
Vukov was not in the stadium – he could have bought a ticket – but the 2022 champion confirmed: “I speak with him, of course, and same with Goran. So I got a bits of advice, and also I met the other girl who played with her just recently, the previous tournament, so a bit few words from them.
“So, of course, I didn’t know how she plays. I needed some time to get used to her balls, but overall I was prepared.”
A big roar from Rune
The Danish No.13 seed roared with delight when he finally beat Zhang Zhizhen of China 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 4-6 in the Margaret Court Arena.
“I was a long match,” said Rune. “A lot of different momentum shifts in the match. I think I did well. I played some good tennis when it mattered. Good to start the tournament with a long match. I think you get a lot of rallies, you get a lot of rhythm. I played a lot. So that’s a nice feeling, actually.”
The 38-year-old Monfils, who became the oldest player to win on the ATP Tour when he triumphed in Auckland, used his experience to see off his compatriot Mpetshi Perricard 7-6 6-3 6-7 6-7 6-4.