Key posts
Ukraine ambassador condemns Russian flag display
By Michael Koziol
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia has condemned the display of a Russian flag during a match involving Ukrainian player Kateryna Baindl on day one of the Australian Open.
A Russian flag is seen during the first round match between Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia and Kateryna Baindl of Ukraine at the Australian Open.Credit:AP
Vasyl Myroshynchenko tweeted that Tennis Australia should enforce its “neutral flag policy” to ban the Russian flag from being flown by fans in the stands because of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The tournament is allowing Russian and Belarusian players to compete (unlike last year’s Wimbledon) but they cannot compete under their country’s name, and the flags beside their names have been whited out in all TV displays.
However, it was not immediately clear that Russian fans were banned from showing their flag in the stands. At yesterday’s incident on court 14, the Ukrainian and Russian fans involved in the incident said police and security conferred nearby but took no action. The men put their Russian flag away, but were seen waving it later Monday night in the stands at Rod Laver Arena for Daniil Medvedev’s match against American Marcos Giron.
Tournament organisers have been contacted for comment. In Monday’s match, Ukraine’s Baindl defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-7(8), 6-1.
Kostyuk won’t shake Russian players’ hands amid flag controversy
By Angus Dalton
Ukrainian player Marta Kostyuk confirmed she won’t shake hands with Russian or Belarusian Australian Open players after her win against the 28th seed, American Amanda Anisimova, on Monday.
At the US Open last year, Kostyuk tapped Belarusian Victoria Azarenka’s racquet instead of shaking her hand after their second-round match. Kostyuk said later she wouldn’t speak to or shake hands with players from Russia or Belarus unless they publicly condemned the authorities of their countries for the invasion of Ukraine.
After her round one Australian Open match on Monday, Kostyuk said she would continue her protests at the net.
“Whoever speaks out clearly I believe has every right to be on tour but whoever doesn’t … I don’t think it’s just humane,” Kostyuk told Reuters.
“I barely say ‘hi’ to them.”
Azarenka had posted a statement before her US Open match with the Ukrainian that said she wished for “an end to the war”. But that didn’t go far enough for Kostyuk.
“Because people who just say they don’t want war, it makes us sound like we want war. Obviously we don’t want the war, too.”
If Kostyuk triumphs over Olivia Gadecki and Jessica Pegula loses her second-round match on Wednesday, Kostyuk could play Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the third round.
The Ukrainian refused to shake the Belarusian’s hand at the end of their last meeting in October.
Daniil Medvedev set to face Aussie John Millman in second round
By Michael Gleeson
Daniil Medvedev plays under the white flag. Sadly, it is not the flag of Russian surrender so much as sporting neutrality.
The Russian competes here on his own. He, like other Russians, plays for himself at the Australian Open not his country – there is to be no victory for Russia here.
This symbolic gesture is tennis’ protest at the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Playing under that white, non-aligned flag, Medvedev breezed through his first round and now plays local boy John Millman. Medvedev can be assured there will be no shortage of Australian flags and colours in the stadium for his opponent.
Click here to read more.
Open honour as Barty asked to carry trophy on court for women’s final
By Michael Chammas
She might not be on Rod Laver Arena with a racquet in hand for the women’s final next week, but it doesn’t mean Ash Barty won’t be on centre court.
The Herald and The Age have been told there are special plans for the reigning champion.
The recently retired, and now pregnant, star of Australian tennis has made it clear she doesn’t like the attention, which is why Tennis Australia wants to keep things on the down low.
Click here to read more.
Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Ash Barty hold the Australian Open trophy.Credit:Eddie Jim
‘One of the best decisions of the last year’: Daria Kasatkina’s relief at coming out
By Scott Spits
Russian tennis star Daria Kasatkina has opened up about her uncertainty and anxiety over whether she’ll ever be able to return home to see family and friends.
But the top-10 player, who was recently visited by her mother, has spoken of the relief she experienced last year after coming out as gay and speaking out about “taboo” topics in Russia such as LGBTQ+ rights.
“To be honest it helped me,” said the 25-year-old, who revealed her relationship with figure skater Natalia Zabiiako.
Click here to read more.
Daria Kasatkina has spoken of the relief she felt after coming out.Credit:Getty Images
Grieving Kyrgios? Never fear, we have Rinky
By Angus Dalton
Organisers, tennis fans and even the Australian No.1’s detractors will be feeling the loss of the Australian Open’s enfant terrible Nick Kyrgios today after the star’s shock withdrawal.
But last night, as if to fill the recently inflicted Kyrgios-shaped hole in the tournament, Sydney 21-year-old Rinky Hijikata put on an arena-worthy show.
He lured Aussie spectators into a false sense of disappointment, losing the first two sets, before blasting German Yannick Hanfmann and taking the final three sets in spectacular fashion for his first major win.
There were battle cries, insane winners, a heart-in-throat fourth-set tiebreaker and, at the centre of it all, Hijikata leaping, fist-bumping and working up the crowd with a hand cupped to his ear.
By the end of the five-set epic there wasn’t a spare seat in the stadium and the roaring standing ovations from Court 8 sounded more like a 14,500-strong crowd at Rod Laver Arena.
The world No. 169 earned a day off today to prepare for his second-round match against third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Fellow Australian wildcard John Millman made a similarly dramatic start to his Australian Open campaign, trading sets with Marc-Andrea Hüsler before winning the five-set match and earning a spot opposite Daniil Medvedev in the second round.
The Aussies in action today
By Angus Dalton
Alongside Alex de Minaur’s first-round meeting against Taiwanese qualifier Hsu Yu-hsiou tonight, it’s another big day for the cast Australian hopefuls.
The first Australian on court will be 24-year-old wildcard Kimberly Birrell, playing against 31st seed Kaia Kanepi.
On Court 3, Jordan Thompson will play back-to-back with wildcard Alexei Popyrin, who turned heads in Adelaide by beating Felix Auger-Aliassime and making the quarter-final despite the Canadian’s 114 lead in ranking positions.
Mid-afternoon games will include Thanasi Kokkinakis’s attempt to outgun world No. 57 Fabio Fognini.
Aleksandar Vukic is slated to play fellow qualifier Brandon Holt at 4pm AEDT at 1573 Arena.
Chris O’Connell, qualifier Max Purcell and wildcard Jamiee Fourlis also begin their home grand slam campaigns before 22nd seed Alex de Minaur steps on court against qualifier Hsu Yu-hsiou.
Olivia Gadecki, Jason Kubler, Rinky Hijikata and John Millman have advanced to the second round after winning their matches yesterday. Wildcards Storm Hunter and Talia Gibson were knocked out.
Ukraine ambassador condemns Russian flag display
By Michael Koziol
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia has condemned the display of a Russian flag during a match involving Ukrainian player Kateryna Baindl on day one of the Australian Open.
A Russian flag is seen during the first round match between Kamilla Rakhimova of Russia and Kateryna Baindl of Ukraine at the Australian Open.Credit:AP
Vasyl Myroshynchenko tweeted that Tennis Australia should enforce its “neutral flag policy” to ban the Russian flag from being flown by fans in the stands because of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The tournament is allowing Russian and Belarusian players to compete (unlike last year’s Wimbledon) but they cannot compete under their country’s name, and the flags beside their names have been whited out in all TV displays.
However, it was not immediately clear that Russian fans were banned from showing their flag in the stands. At yesterday’s incident on court 14, the Ukrainian and Russian fans involved in the incident said police and security conferred nearby but took no action. The men put their Russian flag away, but were seen waving it later Monday night in the stands at Rod Laver Arena for Daniil Medvedev’s match against American Marcos Giron.
Tournament organisers have been contacted for comment. In Monday’s match, Ukraine’s Baindl defeated Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-7(8), 6-1.
What to watch today
By Angus Dalton
Welcome to day two of our live Australian Open coverage as the players at Melbourne Park prepare for more round-one clashes in scorching 36-degree heat.
World No. 5 Aryna Sabalenka is up first at 11am AEDT on Rod Laver Arena off the back of winning her first title in almost two years at the Adelaide International. She’s playing world No. 74 Tereza Martincova.
Former world No. 1 Andy Murray takes on Matteo Berrettini on Rod Laver Arena later this afternoon.
Dominic Thiem also takes on fifth seed Andrey Rublev at 11am before the man who made the winning stroke at the United Cup for Team USA, Taylor Fritz, plays Nikoloz Basilashvili.
Tonight, No. 2 Ons Jabeur plays No. 98 Tamara Zidansek and Novak Djokovic, after his fateful charity match against Nick Kyrgios that helped catalyse the Australian’s decision to withdraw, commences his Australian Open campaign against Roberto Carballés Baena.
At about 7pm, Australia’s greatest hope Alex de Minaur plays his first-round match against qualifier Hsu Yu-hsiou.
