Tennis: Osaka steals show at Australian Open as Sinner strolls through

MELBOURNE, Australia, January 21 ------ Jannik Sinner barely broke sweat in launching his quest to win a third Australian Open in a row on Tuesday as Naomi Osaka stole the show with a bold fashion statement. Popular Frenchman Gael Monfils meanwhile bid farewell to Melbourne Park with an epic defeat and thanks for "an amazing ride".

The Italian Sinner strolled into round two when French opponent Hugo Gaston retired on Rod Laver Arena with the second seed in full control at 6-2, 6-1. Gaston slumped to his chair and shook his head as his Australian Open ended in distress. Two-time reigning champion Sinner said it was not how he wanted to win, but was pleased with his night's work. "I knew from the beginning that I had to play a very high level and was trying to be as aggressive as possible, which I've done," he said.

Should he win three titles in a row in Melbourne, Sinner would join Novak Djokovic as the only men in the Open era to do so. Great entertainer Monfils was bundled out in the first round in a brave goodbye to a tournament he has lit up so many times down the years. The 39-year-old, one of the most colorful and popular players in men's tennis, battled all the way but Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny prevailed 6-7 (3/7), 7-5, 6-4, 7-5 in an epic lasting nearly four hours. There was an on-court presentation and standing ovation afterwards for Monfils, who said: "Somehow it is the finish line, but thank you so much for an amazing ride."

Monfils, who has won 13 ATP titles in a career stretching back to 2004, said in October that this year would be his last in tennis. Italian fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti moved on when his Belgian opponent Raphael Collignon retired in the fourth set. Ben Shelton, the eighth seed and a semi-finalist last year, saw off France's Ugo Humbert, 6-3, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5). But Brazilian 19-year-old Joao Fonseca, touted on the eve of the tournament by Roger Federer as a star of the future, was dumped out by Eliot Spizzirri at the first hurdle. The American defied the crowd of chanting Brazilian fans to win 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Ahead of the final match on day three on Rod Laver Arena, former world number one Osaka emerged holding a white umbrella and wearing a matching wide-brimmed hat and veil. The 28-year-old from Japan is well known for her on-court fashion statements. She wore her latest outfit as she came out for her night match at center court against Croatia's Antonia Ruzic. She waved regally to the crowd and the four-time Grand Slam champion then folded up the umbrella and neatly put the hat and veil to the side.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com