Australian Open 2022 LIVE: Emma Raducanu vs Sloane Stephens match result after Andy Murray wins

Follow all the reaction from the first-round matches on day two at the Australian Open.

In the women’s singles, Garbine Muguruza got off to a perfect start against Clara Burel, while British qualifier Harriet Dart could do little to stave off the brilliance of Iga Swiatek, falling 6-3 6-0 to the 2020 French Open champion. Simona Halep and Anett Kontaveit also cruised through in straight sets, although there was somewhat of a shock as Petra Kvitova was beaten by Sorana Cirstea. Leylah Fernandez, who faced Emma Raducanu in last year’s US Open final, also suffered an early exit at the hands of Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis. Raducanu’s match against Sloane Stephens was the last out on Margaret Court Arena and the 19-year-old battled to a thrilling win over three sets on her debut appearance at the Australian Open.

In the men’s draw, the new favourite in Novak Djokovic’s absence, Daniil Medvedev, swept aside Henri Laaksonen with relative ease. There were no problems for fellow Russian and No 5 seed Andrey Rublev either, who also coasted through in three. For Andy Murray, though, it was a day of typical exhaustion as produced another triumphant performance to defeat Nikoloz Basilashvili in five gruelling sets. Follow all the latest updates below:

Australian Open 2022

• Raducanu battles through in three sets

• Murray beats Basilashvili

• Medvedev and Rublev coast through

• Kyrgios cruises past Broady

• Fernandez and Kvitova out in first round

• Day three order of play

Raducanu feeds off grand slam crowd to earn win over Stephens

17:20 , Jamie Braidwood

“I definitely wanted to go out there and start playing aggressively and start putting my game on the court,” Raducanu said of her fast start, which saw her claim the first set 6-0 in 17 minutes.

“I felt that I was actually just really enjoying my time here, especially going out to practise earlier, I had quite a few people watching. I think that the crowd that stayed pretty late, we were having a good time. I was feeding off that, for sure.

“I think 2022 is all about learning for me. Being in those situations of winning a set and then having to fight in a decider is definitely just all accumulating into a bank of experience that I can tap into later on down the line. I’m very happy that today I can add to that.”

Raducanu feeds off grand slam crowd to earn win over Stephens

16:54 , Jamie Braidwood

The grand slam stage inspired Emma Raducanu once again as she marked her Australian Open debut with victory in the battle of the US Open champions against Sloane Stephens.

Wins have been hard to come by for the 19-year-old since her extraordinary success in New York in September but, back on the big stage, Raducanu found the right formula to claim a 6-0 2-6 6-1 victory.

Raducanu looked emotional at the end, dropping her racket to the ground and covering her face with her hands, and she said: “It meant a lot, for sure.

“It’s my first win in Australia in a grand slam. I came here when I played the juniors and I lost first round, so to come out here and get my first win, I was very, very happy.”

More here:

Emma Raducanu feeds off grand slam crowd to earn win over Sloane Stephens

Tennis Australia ‘deeply regret’ Djokovic visa saga

16:22 , Ben Burrows

Australian Open organisers issued a statement expressing deep regret at the Novak Djokovic fiasco - but without naming the world number one.

Tennis Australia chiefs have been heavily criticised for their part in the saga that saw the Serbian deported following two court hearings, after pushing for unvaccinated players to be allowed into the country.

Public opinion in Melbourne was firmly against Djokovic and others in the same boat being able to play but TA, led by chief executive and Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley, secured exemptions to the strict rules from the Victorian government.

However, the federal government had a different view and Djokovic was stopped at the airport before being held in a detention hotel while Czech player Renata Voracova, an official and a coach were sent home.

There were only hours to go before the start of the tournament when Djokovic’s legal challenge was dismissed, and a number of players spoke of their unhappiness that one of tennis’ most important tournaments had been overshadowed in such a way.

TA chairman and president Jayne Hrdlicka pointedly did not mention Djokovic by name in a lengthy statement issued on behalf of the organisation’s board and member associations.

Hrdlicka said: “We would like to make clear from the outset that we respect the decision of the Immigration Minister and the finding of the Federal Court of Australia over the weekend.

“Australian Open 2022 has now commenced, and our priority has always been to put on one of the world’s greatest sporting events and ensure we are delivering the best possible experience for all our players, the fans, and the community.

“As the Australian tennis family, we recognise that recent events have been a significant distraction for everyone, and we deeply regret the impact this had on all players.”

Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray defy age and expectation at Australian Open

15:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Two players at opposite ends of their careers, but united by a shared spirit, Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray triumphed against adversity on day two of the Australian Open.

Tom Kershaw reports:

Raducanu and Murray defy age and expectation at Australian Open

Australian Open 2022: Kyrgios excited for Medvedev clash

14:53 , Jamie Braidwood

Nick Kyrgios stole the show with a box-office performance against Liam Brody earlier today to set up a meeting with top seed Daniil Medvedev.

The Australian had just returned from Covid-19 isolation but was full of tricks during his straight sets win at a wild John Cain Arena.

“It’s going to be a hell of an experience for me,” Kyrgios, currently ranked at 115 in the world, said. “He’s probably ‘the’ best player in the world at the moment. I’m excited for it.

“That was always something I wanted to prove to people that someone like me could do, win those matches. I’m not going to go into it with a lot of expectation. I’m going to go out there, have some fun, play my game. I have a pretty set-in-stone game plan of what I need to do to have success.

“He’s a hard worker, ticks all the boxes. To play it on John Cain (Arena) would be – I’m just going to call it the Kyrgios Court – would be fun.”

Australian Open 2022: Medvedev laments ‘impossible’ schedule

14:37 , Jamie Braidwood

Number one men’s seed Daniil Medvedev lashed out at the “impossible” tennis calendar after winning his first round match at the Australian Open.

Medvedev is the favourite to win back-to-back slams following his US Open victory in September and the deportation of Novak Djokovic.

But the Russian criticised the lack of rest he got at the end of last season before having to return for the ATP Cup earlier this month.

“It’s impossible, and yes, it’s definitely not enough,” the Russian told reporters after his 6-1 6-4 7-6(3) win over Henri Laaksonen.

“If you want to represent your country every year in Davis Cup and if you are every year in the finals, well, it becomes impossible.

“So you’ll have to sacrifice something. Sometimes your body will tell you what you have to sacrifice, sometimes you will have to decide.

“And it’s not easy decisions because many people will be against your decisions.”

Australian Open 2022: Watson riding ‘positive wave’

14:23 , Jamie Braidwood

Heather Watson rode her “positive wave” to a first grand slam victory for a year at the Australian Open earlier this morning.

The British number two broke a seven-match losing streak dating back to August in Adelaide last week and said after a 6-3 5-7 6-2 victory over Mayar Sherif that she had rediscovered her love for the game during a pre-season training block in Florida

“I’m really happy to get through this one because the last couple years have not been good for me,” Watson said.

“I had a great pre-season in Florida and I found my love and joy for tennis and competing again. I feel like the last couple years I felt really anxious before matches, just really not even wanting to go out there, but trying to get over it because I know in sport there’s always ups and downs.

“Today I was excited to play. I couldn’t wait to get out on the court.”

Watson will now get another crack at 29th seed Tamara Zidansek, who she lost narrowly to in Adelaide.

More here:

Heather Watson rides ‘positive wave’ into Australian Open second round

Australian Open 2022: Murray targets ‘deep run’ in Melbourne

14:09 , Jamie Braidwood

Andy Murray is looking to progress to the later stages of the Australian Open after advancing past Nikoloz Basilashvili in five sets.

Murray takes on Japanese qualifier Taro Daniel in the next round and says making it into the second week of the slam is a target.

“I will hopefully keep improving. There are things in my game I can definitely do better,” Murray said after his victory earlier today.

“I would love to have a deep run here, if possible. It is something I have not had in one of the slams since I came back from injury and it is something that is motivating me.

“I have played some of my best tennis here over the years. I feel comfortable here and I hope I can do it here this tournament.”

Australian Open 2022: Day three order of play

13:54 , Jamie Braidwood

Rod Laver Arena

From 12am GMT

• Martina Trevisan vs Paulo Badosa (8)

• Ash Barty (1) vs Lucia Bronzetti

• Yannick Hanfmann vs Rafa Nadal (6)

From 8am GMT

• Madison Brengle vs Naomi Osaka (13)

• Alexander Zverev (3) vs John Millman

Margaret Court Arena

From 12am GMT

• Harmony Tan vs Elina Svitolina (15)

• Soonwoo Kwon vs Denis Shapovalov (14)

• Barbara Kerjcikova (4) vs Xiyu Wang

From 8am GMT

• Qinwnen Zheng vs Maria Sakkari (5)

• Gael Monfils (17) vs Alexander Bublik

Australian Open 2022: When is Raducanu’s next match?

13:44 , Jamie Braidwood

After progressing to the second round thanks to her victory over Sloane Stephens, Raducanu will play again in the Australian Open on Thursday 20 January.

Raducanu will face world No 99 Danka Kovinic and although the order of play for day four of the tournament has yet to be announced, it will almost certainly be earlier in the morning that the 11am GMT start time she had today for her match against Stephens.

Australian Open 2022: Tsitsipas through in straight sets

13:32 , Jamie Braidwood

Stefanos Tsitsipas has wrapped up the day’s play on the Rod Laver Arena with a straight sets victory over Mikael Ymer.

Tsitsipas, the men’s fourth seed, cruised to a 6-2 6-3 6-4 victory to advance to the second round, where he will play Argentine Sebastian Baez.

The 23-year-old has reached the Australian Open semi-finals on two previous occasions.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu battles to victory

13:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Emma Raducanu shone at a grand slam again as she marked her Australian Open debut with victory in the battle of the US Open champions against Sloane Stephens.

The 19-year-old has found wins hard to come by since her extraordinary success in New York in September but, back on the big stage, Raducanu came up with the right formula again to claim a 6-0 2-6 6-1 victory.

She lost just four points in a startling first set that admittedly was woeful from Stephens before the American hit her stride in the second.

That set up a first ever decider at this level for Raducanu, and she could not have handled it any better, keeping her cool and striking the ball with confidence to clinch victory after an hour and 45 minutes.

Full report:

Emma Raducanu battles to victory against Sloane Stephens on Australian Open debut

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu to face Kovinic next

13:08 , Tom Kershaw

Raducanu will face Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic in the second round which should, at least on paper, be a much easier test.

The 27-year-old is ranked 99th in the world and has never reached the third round of a grand slam in her career.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu reflects on victory

12:59 , Tom Kershaw

“I just want to thank everyone for coming out and staying so late, I really appreciate it! I thought it was a high-quality match, with lots of great rallies. I’m really happy to come through against a great champion like Sloane.”

“It was a tough match up for a first round, her athleticism is really up there – I was working really hard to win points. I’m just so happy to come through it. In the third set, I was really feeling it – the scoreline didn’t really reflect the game.”

Game, set and match! Raducanu defeats Stephens

12:57 , Tom Kershaw

It was far from the smooth ride that it seemed after Raducanu raced through the first set in just 17 minutes against Stephens. But she held her nerve brilliantly in that final set to clinch a victory that will feel somewhat cathartic after the slight dip she’s endured since that unforgettable fortnight in New York.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 5-1 Stephens

12:52 , Tom Kershaw

Stephens’ volatile form makes a comeback as she spares herself the indignity of a whitewash in the deciding set. She played brilliantly to hold serve in that game but it’s all been far too inconsistent and Raducanu will now serve for the match.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 5-0 Stephens

12:47 , Tom Kershaw

Stephens unravels a bit during Raducanu’s service game, giving up the chase on one gettable ball before snatching at a simple backhand return. A Raducanu double-fault brings Stephens back into the game though at 40-30 and the Briton is a little passive in the following rally before skewing a forehand just wide of the tramline. The pattern continues at deuce, with Raducanu twice earning game points only to be bullied out of rallies by Stephens’ winners.

The American then makes an awful mistake at the net, though, stabbing at a forehand volley and sending it long even though Raducanu had been dragged miles out of position. Another poor volley hands Raducanu the hold. Stephens had the chance there to give herself hope of a comeback, but she let it go.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 4-0 Stephens

12:40 , Tom Kershaw

Stephens starts the game with two deft volleys but then sees her second serve obliterated by a Raducanu backhand. The American follows it up with a despondent shot that limps into the net and, although a magnificent drive-volley takes the game to 30-30, another error hands Raducanu break point. Stephens succumbs to the pressure and that’s the second time she’s been broken this set.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 3-0 Stephens

12:34 , Tom Kershaw

Raducanu produces a magnificent backhand winner at 30-15 and lets out a huge roar. She seems to think she’s actually won the game, though, and has to turn back towards the baseline after making her way towards the chair. Stephens keeps it alive and draws an error but then overcommits on a forehand at 40-30. The finish line is coming into view for Raducanu now.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 2-0 Stephens

12:30 , Tom Kershaw

Raducanu defends brilliantly from well back behind the baseline again, moving the American around the court and forcing the mistake. At 30-30, Stephens makes a sloppy unforced error and then repeats it to hand over the break. That ends a run of four lost games in succession for Raducanu, who now has the advantage in the deciding set.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 1-0 Stephens

12:26 , Tom Kershaw

Raducanu starts assuredly to race to 30-0 but Stephens battles back valiantly, forcing the Briton deep behind the baseline and forcing the error. The pressure builds at 30-30 but Raducanu answers with an emphatic first serve and lets out a huge roar. Raducanu then produces a fantastic backhand that dips at the net just as Stephens rushes in. The American can only muster a tame volley and Raducanu fires a winner to seal a big hold.

12:20 , Tom Kershaw

Australian Open 2022: Stephens wins second set

12:17 , Tom Kershaw

Stephens makes no mistake, quickly closing out the game with a booming forehand winner. Raducanu has been stopped in her tracks after blitzing that opening set to love. The roles have reversed now and it’s Stephens whose power and precision is proving increasingly difficult for the Briton to stave off.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 3-5 Stephens

12:14 , Tom Kershaw

Stephens swats away a tame Raducanu second serve to take the game to 30-30. It’s the Briton now who’s lost some of her clinical edge, with a poor backhand squandering game point before being outgunned in a long, slugging rally at deuce.

Raducanu saves the first break point but is helpless to defend the second, with Stephens picking on the Briton’s serve and finding her range brilliantly from the baseline. That’s her third break of Raducanu’s serve in this set.

Stephens will now serve for the set and to tie the match.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 2-4 Stephens

12:05 , Tom Kershaw

Stephens produces a fantastic high-risk cross-court forehand winner at 15-30 that dips just in time to catch the line before a big forehand pushes Raducanu onto her heels and forces the mistake. On game point, Raducanu has the ascendancy in the rally, but her attempted winner is a little short and invites a tricky backhand passing shot down the line. There’s no mistake from Stephens this time and that consolidates her break in the second set.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 2-3 Stephens

12:01 , Tom Kershaw

This time it’s Raducanu who’s under pressure at 0-30 on serve, but the Briton responds by winning three points in succession, extending rallies and drawing the errors from Stephens.

But at deuce, it’s the Briton who uncharacteristically falters, with an errant backhand bringing up break point before firing a simple forehand way past the baseline. Stephens has the break again.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 2-2 Stephens

11:55 , Tom Kershaw

Stephens is back under pressure at 0-30 on serve and, although a brilliant rally and forehand winner eases the strain, she immediately undoes her hard work with an unforced error. The American saves two break points to take the game to deuce but then makes another pair of mistakes to hand back the break of serve. That’s her 19th and 20th unforced errors of the match and, although Raducanu is playing very well, Stephens is making it far too easy for her at times.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 1-2 Stephens

11:49 , Tom Kershaw

Raducanu is in charge of her service game at 30-0 until Stephens’ fantastic forehand drive volley clips the line. Raducanu is being forced to work hard for every point now and draws on all her power to force Stephens back behind the baseline and into another error. A big serve follows to complete the hold.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 0-2 Stephens

11:46 , Tom Kershaw

That last game took 15 minutes to complete - almost as long as the entire first set. Stephens quickly ensures that the fast-paced rhythm to the match returns, though, racing through her service game after four unforced backhand errors from Raducanu.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 0-1 Stephens

11:45 , Tom Kershaw

Raducanu comes under the first real piece of pressure on her serve, with a double-fault handing Stephens two break points. The American horribly mistimes a simple backhand at 15-40 before a forehand sails long to bring the game back to deuce.

Raducanu takes the advantage after another unforced error from Stephens but the American finally has something to celebrate after a backhand winner draws an end to a momentous back-and-forth rally along the baseline.

Both players refuse to buckle at deuce, with Raducanu saving two more break points after Stephens inexplicably sent a passing shot long as the whole court beckoned.

In the end, though, facing her fifth break point, Raducanu hands over the game rather meekly with double-fault. That’s Stephens first blood in the match, and it could turn the momentum in her favour yet.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu wins first set to love

11:29 , Tom Kershaw

It’s spectacular from Raducanu, who races through her own service game to love to leave Stephens staring down the barrel of a whitewash at 5-0. The American again can’t stave off the power of Raducanu’s groundstrokes, who’s swinging with such freedom, and the Briton closes out the first set in barely over a quarter of an hour.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 4-0 Stephens

11:23 , Tom Kershaw

Raducanu breaks again! Stephens is struggling to deal with the power and precision that’s coming back over the net, puts pressure on herself with a double fault at 15-15 and then watches as two winners blaze past her to seal the second break.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 3-0 Stephens

11:18 , Tom Kershaw

It’s been just six minutes and Raducanu has already raced into a 3-0 lead in the first set. A double-fault at 30-0 gives Stephens a faint hope in the game but it’s snuffed out instantly. Raducanu has hit the ground running. The American on the other hand is yet to click into gear at all.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 2-0 Stephens

11:16 , Tom Kershaw

In contrast, it’s a sloppy opening service game from Stephens, and a hat-trick of unforced errors hands Raducanu the early break.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu 1-0 Stephens

11:11 , Tom Kershaw

An ideal start for Raducanu, who begins with an emphatic forehand winner and quickly holds to love after a few tame errors from Stephens.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu and Stephens warm up

11:09 , Tom Kershaw

The players are now warming up on court. Make no mistake, despite Stephens falling down to No 67 in the rankings, this is a very tricky test for Raducanu.

Stephens won the US Open in 2017 and reached the French Open semi-finals two years ago. Raduncau meanwhile, despite her immense achievement in New York, has lost her last two first-round matches and struggled badly on her second serve last week in Sydney.

11:01 , Tom Kershaw

If you’d like any last-minute reading as we wait for Raducanu on court, here is a preview of what we can expect from the teenager, who has changed coaching set-ups and endured a problematic build-up to the year’s first grand slam after testing positive for Covid in December.

Emma Raducanu can embrace Australian Open debut with few expectations

Australian Open 2022: De Minaur defeats Musetti

10:47 , Tom Kershaw

It was a shaky start from De Minaur, who went down a set against Musetti, but the Australian recovered impressively to secure his place in the second round. He will face Kamil Majchrzak next.

Emma Raducanu and Sloane Stephens will be out on court shortly...

Djokovic may not be able to defend French Open title

10:35 , Tom Kershaw

While we wait for Raducanu’s return, here’s a reminder of the latest news regarding Novak Djokovic.

On Sunday, France’s sports minister announced that athletes would not be exempt from a tightening of rules on the unvaccinated. Players are expected to have to show a Covid pass, proving their vaccination status, in order to enter arenas and stadiums meaning, as things stand, Djokovic’s hopes of defending his title at Roland Garros and winning a men’s record 21st grand slam remain in serious doubt.

Novak Djokovic could face French Open battle as rules on unvaccinated tighten

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu waits on De Minaur

10:29 , Tom Kershaw

Raducanu vs Stephens is the final first-round match up on Margaret Court Arena. The pair of US Open champions are still waiting on the outcome of the penultimate contest, though.

Alex De Minaur, the Australian No 32 seed, lost the first set against Lorenzo Musetti but has recovered in style since then. He leads by two sets to one and has just broken the Italian’s serve in the fourth set to close in on victory.

Australian Open 2022: Kyrgios cruises past Broady

10:25 , Tom Kershaw

It was a routine victory for Nick Kyrgios in the end. He broke immediately in the first two sets and his own serve was absolutely brilliant. Broady played well after coming through qualifying but it was always going to be a tough ask for the Briton.

Kyrgios will have the crowd on his side again but he will be right up against it in the second round, though. He faces the world No 2 and US Open champion Daniil Medvedev next in what will be a pulsating contest.

Australian Open 2022: Sabalenka survives scare

10:20 , Tom Kershaw

Aryna Sabalenka is safely through to the second round but not without a scare. The No 2 seed lost the first set against Australian wildcard Storm Sanders and even trailed by a break in the second. However, she produced a great response to break back and level the match before dominating the deciding set. She will face Xinyu Wang next.

Australian Open 2022: Kyrgios plays to crowd

10:08 , Tom Kershaw

Never one to risk being understated, this moment of magic from Nick Kyrgios earned him an early break against British qualifier Liam Broady.

The Australian is a break up in the third now and closing in on victory.

Australian Open 2022: Fernandez out in first round

10:06 , Tom Kershaw

Emma Raducanu’s opponent in that famous US Open final last September, Leylah Fernandez, endured a difficult return to the grand slam stage. The 19-year-old was beaten overnight in her first-round match against Maddison Inglis

Raducanu will be trying to avoid that same fate when she takes on Sloane Stephens, with the pair expected on court in the next hour.

Australian Open 2022: Kyrgios wins second set

09:48 , Tom Kershaw

There have been no such wobbles from Kyrgios. The Australian has been in full pomp from the off and wraps up the second set with another thunderous ace.

Australian Open 2022: Sabalanka wins second set

09:47 , Tom Kershaw

That’s much better from Sabalenka, who has really struggled against Sanders. The No 2 seed breaks the Australian’s serve and has the chance to serve out the second set at 5-3. She races into a 40-0 lead, wobbles with a double fault, but then manages to close it out and put a tense match back on level terms.

Australian Open 2022: Kyrgios 5-4 Broady

09:41 , Tom Kershaw

Kyrgios is soaking up every minute of the crowd’s support. They’re mimicking Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘Siuuu’ celebration in response to the Australian’s imaginative shotmaking, he gears them up further with a bit of back and forth, and then closes out the game with an ace. After a quick hold by Broady to 15, Kyrgios will now serve for the second set.

Australian Open 2022: Sabalanka 4-3 Sanders

09:39 , Tom Kershaw

Sabalenka is being dragged into really deep water by Sanders. Already trailing by a set against the world No 128, she fell a break down in the second before battling back. On serve at 3-3, the No 2 seed is then forced to save two more break points in another gruelling game.

Australian Open 2022: Kyrgios 4-2 Broady

09:32 , Tom Kershaw

Broady is hanging in there valiantly but he’s struggling to deal with Kyrgios’ power. The Australian has won 86% of points on his first serve and landed 12 aces. He’s a break and a set up.

Australian Open 2022: Kyrgios in charge against Broady

09:13 , Tom Kershaw

Broady is struggling badly on his first serve and hands Kyrgios another early break. The Briton has his back against the wall now after losing the first set 6-4.

Australian Open 2022: Sabalenka struggling against Sanders

09:11 , Tom Kershaw

Elsewhere, Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 2, is in a spot of bother against Australian wildcard Storm Sanders.

Sanders, who is ranked No 128 in the world, has never made it past the first round of a grand slam in her singles career, but has taken the first set 7-5 against Sabalenka.

Australian Open 2022: Medvedev believes Nadal is favourite

09:06 , Tom Kershaw

Daniil Medvedev was broken in his opening service game against Henri Laaksonen in a rare display of nerves but quickly rattled off six games in succession to dominate the set.

The Russian, who defeated Djokovic in last year’s US Open final, is the favourite in the Serbian’s absence.

However, he attempted to divert that new layer of pressure after his 6-1 6-4 7-6(3) win, insisting Rafael Nadal’s grand slam record makes him the man to beat.

“I like pressure but last year I started well here in Australia in the ATP Cup and I managed to be in the final here,” he said on court afterwards.

“The tournaments in Australia are always really important for me. I like to play in Australia on hard courts. I want to do better here than I did last year but it’s not going to easy.

“I always say whoever is the highest ranked is the favourite so this time I will go with Rafa because he has 20 grand slams.”

Australian Open 2022: Kyrgios 4-3 Broady

08:52 , Tom Kershaw

Kyrgios is still in full swing against Broady, drawing cheers and laughter from the crowd in equal measure. Broady is warming into the match himself though now, adjusting to the raucous atmosphere.

After being broken in his first service game, the Briton has been solid and holds comfortably to love to tighten things up at 4-3.

Tennis Australia break silence over Djokovic saga

08:50 , Tom Kershaw

Tennis Australia, who had granted Novak Djokovic a medical exemption in accordance with the Victorian government, remained notably quiet as the visa saga unfolded last week.

However, in a statement released today, the governing body said it “deeply regretted” the impact and the distraction it had caused.

“As the Australian tennis family, we recognise that recent events have been a significant distraction for everyone, and we deeply regret the impact this had on all players,” the statement read.

“There are always lessons to learn, and we will review all aspects of our preparation and implementation to inform our planning - as we do every year.

“That process always starts once the Australian Open champions have lifted their trophies.”

Australian Open 2022: Kyrgios 2-0 Broady

08:35 , Tom Kershaw

Krygios has already turned this match into a carnival atmosphere, playing trick shots for the crowd’s benefit and breaking the Briton in his opening service game.

Australian Open 2022: Kyrgios vs Broady

08:22 , Tom Kershaw

Next up in the John Cain Arena, the ever-exciting and just as controversial Nick Kyrgios takes on Britain’s Liam Broady.

Broady, who came through qualifying to reach the main draw, will be up against the crowd here too.

Australian Open 2022: Murray speaks post-match

08:18 , Tom Kershaw

“Obviously when we came back last year to play after the enforced break with Covid, we played with no fans in the stadium. It was tough. It is not loads of fun. You know, we train and practice to allow us to play and compete in atmospheres like this on courts like this to entertain you guys and perform in front of you. It’s an incredible atmosphere and I am so happy.”

Asked about how far he thinks he can go in the tournament, Murray is clear:

“I would love to have a deep run here if possible. It’s tough but I would like to have a deep run. It’s something I have not had in one of the slams since I came back from the injury and it is something that is motivating me. I play some of my best tennis over the years here, I feel comfortable here and I hope I can do it this tournament.”

Australian Open 2022: Murray speaks post-match

08:17 , Tom Kershaw

“It was a brutal match in Sydney, we played three hours over three sets [at the Sydney International last week]. I am sure you guys can tell from watching. He hits the ball huge from the back of the court and I had to do a lot of running today, a lot of defending. He is not the sort of guy whose name you want to see next to yours in the draw very often. Obviously a bit of confidence from the win last week, and thankfully managed to get over the line today.”

Australian Open 2022: Murray speaks post-match

08:16 , Tom Kershaw

“It has been a tough, tough three, four years. Put in a lot of work to get back here. I played on this court many times.The atmosphere is incredible. I have always had fantastic support. This is the one where I thought potentially I had played my last match three years ago, but it is amazing to be back winning a five- set battle like that. Couldn’t ask for any more.”

08:16 , Tom Kershaw

Australian Open 2022: Murray beats Basilashvili

08:07 , Tom Kershaw

Basilashvili throws everything at two winners to take it back to 30-40. That was remarkably brave hitting from the Georgian. He has no answer at the third time of asking though!

A deep Murray backhand pushes him behind the baseline and a weak return loops into the net. Murray roars to the crowd. What a tremendous display from the Scot who prevails in five sets.

Murray 1-6 6-3 4-6 7-6 6-4 Basilashvili.

Australian Open 2022: Murray 5-4 Basilashvili

08:03 , Tom Kershaw

A forehand drifts just wide of the tramline and it’ll be three match points for Murray!

Australian Open 2022: Murray 5-4 Basilashvili

08:02 , Tom Kershaw

After three hours and 47 minutes, we enter what could be the final game and Murray starts it emphatically, leaping on a weak second serve to take a 0-15 lead.

Australian Open 2022: Murray 5-4 Basilashvili

08:00 , Tom Kershaw

Murray delivers an ace at a crucial time, having fallen behind 15-30 in the game. He lets out a roar and then confounds Basilashvili with a deft drop shot at the net to set up game point. An unforced backhand error hands Murray the game!

Basilashvili will now serve to stay in the match.

Australian Open 2022: Murray 4-4 Basilashvili

07:57 , Tom Kershaw

Murray attempts to respond instantly and takes Basilashvili to 30-30 on serve. The Georgian closes the game out with an ace, though, and the pressure is immediately back on Murray’s serve.

Australian Open 2022: Raducanu faces Stephens

07:52 , Tom Kershaw

Emma Raducanu returns to the grand slam stage later this morning in an extremely difficult test against another US Open champion in Sloane Stephens.

Australian Open 2022: Murray 4-3 Basilashvili

07:51 , Tom Kershaw

Basilashvili breaks back! It was a tired service game from Murray and on break point, the pair go back and forth in a gruelling 30-shot rally. It’s a war of attrition rather than a case of either player searching for a winner, and it’s Murray’s resistance that cracks first. We’re back on serve in the deciding set.

Australian Open 2022: Murray into fifth set

07:45 , Tom Kershaw

It has been a typically relentless first-round match for Andy Murray, who is now in a fifth set against Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili.

Two years after the Scot was ushered into retirement in Melbourne, he is fighting with every last drop of energy and has broken serve to close in on victory.