Brisbane International presented by Evie—Australia
Djokovic Cruises into Brisbane Second Round; Keys Advances in Auckland; Nishikori Wins in Hong Kong
Top seed Novak Djokovic stormed into the second round of the Brisbane International on Tuesday, defeating wildcard Rinky Hijikata 6-3, 6-3.
In a match that lasted one hour and 15 minutes, Djokovic slammed 12 aces, won 81 percent of his first serve points and broke serve on three occasions.
Playing his first match of the 2025 season, Djokovic will next face Gael Monfils for a place in the quarterfinals.
Monfils ousted Nishesh Basavareddy in three sets.
Elsewhere, Nick Kyrgios returned to action with a tough three-set defeat to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, 7-6(2), 6-7(4), 7-6(3).
In a nearly two and a half hour affair, Mpetshi Perricard hit 36 aces to 15 against the Australian.
Mpetshi Perricard will next face Frances Tiafoe in the second round.
Other winners on the day saw Matteo Arnaldi, Dusan Lajovic, Jakub Mensik and Reilly Opelka all reaching the round of 16.
On the women’s side, top seed Aryna Sabalenka coasted into the second round with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Renata Zarazua. Sabalenka will next face No. 15 seed Yulia Putintseva in round two.
Other results on the day saw Elina Avanesyan defeating No. 4 seed Paula Badosa in 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 and Ons Jabeur ousting No. 14 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3, 6-2.
Anhelina Kalinina and Marie Bouzkova also advanced.
Wednesday’s action in Brisbane will feature Emma Navarro, Grigor Dimitrov, Victoria Azarenka and Djokovic and Kyrgios back in action on the doubles court. The popular duo will take on top seeds Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus.
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ASB Classic—Auckland, New Zealand
Tuesday’s action at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand saw top seed Madison Keys cruise into the second round, dismissing Lucia Bronzetti 6-4, 6-4.
Keys needed four aces and four breaks of serve to reach the round of 16. The American will next face Jaqueline Cristian for a place in the quarterfinals.
Other results on the day saw Alycia Parks, Robin Montgomery, Jodie Burrage, Greet Minnen, Hailey Baptiste and Sofia Kenin all reach the second round.
Wednesday’s schedule in Auckland will feature No. 7 seed and four-time former Major winner Naomi Osaka.
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Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open—Hong Kong
Former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori recorded a comfortable victory on Tuesday in Hong Kong, China, defeating Canadian Denis Shapovalov 6-2, 6-3.
In a match that was marred by a Shapovalov illness, Nishikori only needed 58 minutes to advance.
The Japanese star will next face No. 3 seed Karen Khachanov.
Other players to post victories on Tuesday included No. 5 seed Nuno Borges, No. 7 seed Pedro Martinez, Zizou Bergs, Gabriel Diallo, Alexandre Muller, Jaume Munar and Juncheng Shang.
Wednesday’s schedule in Hong Kong will be highlighted by No. 3 seed Khachanov and No. 4 seed Arthur Fils.
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