The first round saw local Aussie talents Nick Kyrgios (EZONE DR 98, POLYTOUR PRO 120) and Daria Gavrilova (EZONE DR 100, POLYTOUR 125) secure wins at home in men’s and women’s singles respectively. Nick made his grand entrance at Hisense Arena boasting his signature high power and piercing accuracy, clutching his first set against opponent Pablo Carreño Busta of Spain in a brisk 22 minutes. After facing some resistance in the second set, the Aussie showman came firing back in the third with clever net play. Recording a remarkable 16 aces and 37 winners to his name, Nick powered through to round 2 with a final score of 6-2, 7-5, 6-2.
Daria clutched a confident 7-6(3), 6-4 victory over the Czech Republic’s Lucie Hradecka, saving a staggering 10 of 10 break points. The two players would exchange points neck-and-neck up until a tiebreak in the first set, where Daria would grab 3 straight points to eventually win the opener. The second set saw the two tied at 3-3, where Daria would grab a pivotal break and proceed to serve out, securing her place in round 2.
Belinda Bencic (EZONE DR 100, YONEX String) got payback against Alison Riske after their 2014 meeting in Tianjin. Her opponent only managed one break chance, which Belinda would brilliantly save. With 23 winners to her opponent’s 10, Belinda won in straight sets at 6-4, 6-3.
Back in men’s singles, Pierre-Hugues Herbert (VCORE Duel G 97, POLYTOUR FIRE 125) came back from a set down to seize a tight win over the higher-ranked and senior Pablo Andujar of Spain. The Frenchman exhibited great tenacity throughout the match, staying on his opponent’s tail, edging out close wins in the second and third sets. His persistence would prove effective, as he won the final set at 6-2. With 17 aces to 4, Pierre-Hugues advanced to the second round at 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-2.
2016 Australian Open Tournament Results
Men’s Singles (Round 1)
[29] Nick Kyrgios (EZONE DR 98, POLYTOUR PRO 120) (AUS) def. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 6-2, 7-5, 6-2
Pierre-Hugues Herbert (VCORE Duel G 97, POLYTOUR FIRE 125)(FRA) def. Pablo Andujar (ESP) 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-2
Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) def. Borna Coric (VCORE Tour F 97, POLYTOUR FIRE 125)CRO) 6-2, 6-2, 6-3
Pablo Cuevas (URU) def. Yoshihito Nishioka (VCORE Si 98, POLYTOUR SPIN, FUSION REV)(JPN) 7-6(5), 6-1, 6-4
Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) def. Ricardas Berankis (VCORE Duel G 97, POLYTOUR SPIN, POWER CUSHION ECLIPSION)(LTU) 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
Women’s Singles (Round 1)
[12] Belinda Bencic (EZONE DR 100, YONEX String) (SUI) def. Alison Riske (USA) 6-4, 6-3
Daria Gavrilova (EZONE DR 100, POLYTOUR 125)(AUS) def. Lucie Hradecka (CZE) 7-6(3), 6-4