Top-ranked Australian Alex de Minaur has cruised into the second round at the Brisbane International after a 6-2, 6-2 win over fellow 19-year-old Australian Alexei Popyrin.
Other Australian’s to claim victory included Nick Kyrgios and Jordan Thompson.
Embed from Getty Images
Photo: Defending champion Nick Kyrgios against last year’s finalist Ryan Harrison in their round one match
Defending champion Kyrgios advanced past USA’s Ryan Harrison in a repeat of last year’s final taking the match in three tight sets 7-6(5), 5-7, 7-6(5). The big-serving Australian fired down an impressive 44 aces. Harrison went ok in the ace department serving 27. Kyrgios looked to close out the match in straight sets when he had Harrison down 0-40 at 4-5. The American pulled out some big serves to saved the match points. He then broke Kyrgios to be able to serve for the second set.
The third set was again decided by a tiebreak with Kyrgios just edging his opponent.
de Minaur had an easier time against another young Australian. He accounted for Popyrin in straight sets showing how far he has come since last year when he reached the semis. The top-ranked Australian was a class above Popyrin who has mostly played on the Challenger tour.
Jordan Thompson picked up a win against Australia’s Alex Bolt. Thompson taking the match 6-3, 6-0 to setup a second-round match against de Minaur.
Thanasi Kokkinakis and James Duckworth were not so lucky, both losing their round one match.
Kokkinakis losing a golden opportunity to boost his ranking after losing to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6(6), 6-4. The Australian was serving for the first set and had set points in the tiebreak but Tsonga played the big points better than his opponent. Duckworth was outclassed by former world no. 1 Andy Murray. The Scott winning 6-3, 6-4.
In the women’s tournament, it was Ajla Tomljanovic that was the lone winner for the Australian’s. She came back for a set down to advance 1-6, 6-3, 6-0 over Katerina Siniakova.
Kimberly Birrell and Destanee Aiava lost their round two matches, both in straight sets and Daria Gavrilova lost her round one match to Anastasia Sevastova 6-3, 6-3.
