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Another local hope in James Duckworth has made a strong start to his match with Swiss Dominic Stricker, taking the first set 6-2. Both have held serve as the second set gets underway on court three.
We’ve another upset, as Chilean 23rd seed Alejandro Tabilo has been unable to survive a fourth set tie break and, thus, gone down 6-1 2-6 3-6 6-7 to unseeded Spaniard vet Roberto Carballes Baena
In other action already under way, Victoria Azarenka (21) has broken back against Italian Lucia Bronzetti but still finds herself down 2-5 in the opening set of their match on Kia Arena, while American Frances Tiafoe (17) is on the verge of moving past France’s Arthur Rinderknech on the 1573 Arena.
Another local has advances through to the second round on this second day of the Open, veteran Ajla Tomljanović taking the decisive set to defeat American Ashlyn Krueger 6-4 4-6 6-4.
Thanks Jonathan and hello everyone, Joey Lynch here, ready to jump in after that barnburner between Tsitsipas and Michelsen, ready to take you through the next few hours of action from here in Melbourne.
There’s plenty on tap but we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on men’s top seed Jannik Sinner, who is scheduled to get his campaign underway against Chilean Nicolás Jarry any moment.
Jonathan Howcroft
And on that note, I shall handover to Joey Lynch for the next few hours. Catch you back here soon.
Alex Michelsen beats Stefanos Tsitsipas (11) 7-5 6-3 2-6 6-4
Michelsen seals the deal with the first service hold in five games for the biggest win of his career. The 20-year-old withstood Tsitsipas’ comeback, and the partisan John Cain Arena crowd, to move into the second round – where a wildcard or qualifier await.
Why is Tsitsipas struggling so badly? In short, his backhand has deserted him. He knows it. His opponents know it. And it is dictating every point.
Michelsen is directing as much traffic as possible to his opponent’s backhand side, with the result of 15 unforced errors to just 4 winners. On the Greek’s forehand, it’s 17 winners to 10 unforced errors.
Reminds me of Graham Gooch’s comment about New Zealand during Richard Hadlee’s time: World XI at one end, Ilford 2nds at the other.
The standard of play in this fourth set is higher than the three before it with Tsitsipas liberated by his rage and Michelsen fighting fire with fire. Each man blisters the line with backhand winners, Michelsen pulls out a series of barely believable returns, and after three deuces, the 11th seed tosses in a double fault for a fourth consecutive break!
The young American will serve for a place in the second round.
A third break in a row and Tsitsipas is back on serve in the fourth set against Michelsen! The 11th seed has upped the intensity and Michelsen’s serve is wilting in the heat.
John Cain Arena is hotting up! With Tsitsipas moving into all-or-nothing mode Michelsen hands the break back with a timid service game. The American immediately regains the break with a brilliant returning game, capped by a magnificent running backhand pass down the line to silence the partisan crowd.
Two service holds for Michelsen and Tsitsipas will fall at the first hurdle.
There is something happening everywhere you look around Melbourne Park now as the Australian Open hits its stride.
Elina Svitolina (28) has won the opening set against Sorana Cirstea.
Victoria Azarenka (21) is an early break down to Lucia Bronzetti.
Ajla Tomljanovic is a double break up in the deciding set against Ashlyn Krueger.
Australian wildcard Talia Gibson has completed her comeback victory over Zeynep Sonmez 3-6 7-6 6-1. She’s through to face 11th seed Paula Badosa in the second round in the biggest match in her career.
… Michelsen, unfazed, has just broken Tsitsipas in the opening game of the fourth set. The Greek is rattled, mouthing off at his box and thumping his racket against his kitbag. The American is playing smart tennis, keeping the ball in play, executing high percentage points and allowing his opponent to combust.
Stefanos Tsitsipas (11) is on the comeback trail! The Greek, with John Cain Arena well behind him, has won the third set to reduce the deficit on Alex Michelsen. The American won only two of ten points behind his second serve in the third set, allowing Tsitsipas the chance to dictate terms.
I may have spoken too soon about Coco Gauff’s next opponent. Ashlyn Krueger has just levelled things up at one set apiece against Ajla Tomljanovic.
Better news for another Australian though with Talia Gibson 4-0 up in the deciding set against Zeynep Sonmez.