An unprecedented 20 matches extended to five sets in the opening round of the Australian Open 2024 men’s singles competition.
This is the most in tournament history across the Open era (since 1969).
From Andrey Rublev’s great escape against Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild, to Thanasi Kokkinakis’ steely comeback to subdue big-hitting Sebastian Ofner, there’s been drama aplenty.
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Seven of the five-set battles featured Australian players, leaving local fans at Melbourne Park on the edge of their seats.
The previous record, for most five-set battles in the opening round of an Australian Open men’s singles draw, was 16. This occurred on two occasions – in 1996 and 1998.
At Australian Open 1998, a 16-year-old Lleyton Hewitt contested the first five-set match of his career.
He went on to become a two-time Grand Slam champion and world No.1 who contested 57 five-set encounters during his career.
FIRST-ROUND AO MEN'S SINGLES MATCHES TO EXTEND FIVE SETS
(Past decade)
The Open-era Grand Slam record for the highest number of five-set men’s singles matches in round one is 21, set at Roland Garros in 2023.
Titanic tussles
Of the 64 opening matches played in this year’s men’s singles competition, only 20 were decided in straight sets.
A total of 31 matches required more than three hours to complete, with 11 extending beyond four hours.
Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan needed four hours and 59 minutes to stave off a spirited challenge from Aussie wildcard Jason Kubler.
Felix Auger-Aliassime then matched this time in his five-set triumph against Dominic Thiem, the Australian Open 2020 finalist.
LONGEST FIRST-ROUND MATCHES AT AO 2024
Thrilling conclusions
Five of the five-set opening-round battles were decided in a match tiebreak.
This sets a new Australian Open record and ties the all-time Grand Slam record, which was set at the US Open in 2021.
Andrey Rublev, Jan-Lennard Struff, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Daniel Elahi Galan and Hugo Grenier were the victors in these heart-stopping encounters.
Most seeds survive
Despite the ferocious battles that played out across the opening round, a majority of seeded players managed to safely progress.
Only No.18 seed Nicolas Jarry and No.31 Alexander Bublik fell at the first hurdle in the men’s singles competition.
This marks the first time no more than two seeded players were knocked out in the opening round at a Grand Slam since the introduction of 32 seeds at Wimbledon in 2001.
30 seeds have reached the 2nd round of the men's singles at the 2024 #AusOpen - the most at a Grand Slam since 32 players have been seeded (from 2001 Wimbledon onwards).
Previous record: 29 seeds (at US Open in 2001 and 2015; and at Australian Open in 2005, 2009 and 2014)— ITF Media (@ITFMedia) January 16, 2024