Fans visiting Melbourne Park on Wednesday witnessed a host of upsets as a number of higher seeds fell on the first day of men’s qualifying action at Australian Open 2018.
If not for a narrow escape by top seed Taylor Fritz, the first three seeds may have all been casualties. As it was, the American held his nerve and edged out big-serving Sam Groth 6-4 3-6 7-6(3) in what became the hometown player’s last singles appearance before retirement.
“Just really happy to get out of that one,” Fritz said after the match. “I knew there was a good chance we could go 7-6 in the third, and we did. I was prepared for that and I think it helped me a lot.”
With a parochial crowd packed into Show Court 3 – perhaps unusual for an opening round of qualifying – Fritz said he enjoyed the experience.
“I knew they would be cheering for Sam,” he said. “You have to. Hopefully I will get some love next round.”
Second-seeded French veteran Nicolas Mahut was not so lucky, falling to Serb Danilo Petrovic – the world No.255 – in straight sets 7-6(4) 6-3.
Wildcard Bradley Mousley kept the upsets coming, posting a career-best win in his 6-3 7-6(3) defeat of Italian Marco Cecchinato, the No.3 seed. In a polished display, the Australian cruised past the world No.103 without so much as offering a break point.
Federico Gaio went some way to righting the ship for the Italians, shutting down Swiss No.14 seed Henri Laaksonen 6-4 6-3.
Meanwhile, American Kevin King became the first man to reach the second round of qualifying at this year’s Australian Open, ousting Uladzimir Ignatik, the No.31 seed from Belarus, 7-6(2) 6-2.
Elsewhere, Argentinian Renzo Olivo (No.32) fell to Czech Vaclav Safranek, the world No.227, and American Denis Kudla stunned seventh-seeded Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3 7-5.
Earlier in the day, flamboyant German Dustin Brown (seeded No.17) headlined the early action and was quick out of the blocks, snaring the opening set in a fraction over half an hour before being pegged back by Argentinian Guido Andreozzi, who levelled proceedings in similar fashion.
Brown broke early in the decider and despite needing six deuces to hold serve in the following game was not deterred, maintaining his advantage to post a 6-3 3-6 6-3 victory.
“I think I played very well today,” Brown said. “I didn’t play as well as I would have liked in Doha, but I’ve had plenty of time to practice.”
Brown, now recovered from a back injury sustained last season, said the main thing was confidence.
“My tennis is definitely there and this is a big step in the right direction,” he said. “The feeling is coming back more and more and I’m starting to be able to rely more on my serve in big points.
“Closing out that third set like I did today was good. I’m very happy to get through. These are the matches I need.”
While China’s Di Wu defeated local wildcard Dayne Kelly 6-1 7-6(3), Australian hopes fared better later in the day with John-Patrick Smith, a recent qualifier in Brisbane, holding off Bosnian Aldin Setkic 6-2 6-7(5) 6-3. He will next face Brit Cameron Norrie, the sixth seed accounting for Canadian Filip Peliwo in three tight sets.
Andrew Whittington was also a highlight for the host nation, taking out rising American and last week’s Brisbane quarterfinalist Michael Mmoh 7-6(2) 6-1, while Bernard Tomic, the No.29 seed, spent just 48 minutes in brushing aside Frenchman Vincent Millot for the loss of just four games, 6-1 6-3. Tomic will next play American Tommy Paul, a 6-7(3) 7-6(2) 7-6(5) winner over Slovenian Blaz Rola.
Local wildcard Blake Ellis almost added to the Australian success, holding multiple match points against fellow teenager Stefan Kozlov before falling to the American 7-6(3) 6-4 7-6(3).
No.5 seed Vasek Pospisil and Kazakh Alexander Bublik (No.9) headlined the remainder of the surviving seeds, defeating Italian Lorenzo Guistino and Goncalo Oliviera of Portugal respectively.