Former champion Stan Wawrinka and ex-finalist Dominic Thiem each misplaced in 5 units as they seek for their glittering kind from the previous.
Regardless of hitting the kind of blistering groundstrokes which helped the 30-year-old win the 2020 US Open, Austrian Thiem couldn’t full a comeback from two units down, ultimately succumbing to twenty seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 5-7 6-3.
At 4 hours and 59 minutes and ending at 01:40 native time, it was the longest match of the Canadian’s profession. The 23-year-old can also be seeking to rediscover the extent that took him to a career-high rating of sixth on the earth.
In the meantime, three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka mentioned he hoped this 12 months wouldn’t be his final time at Melbourne Park after letting his lead slip to French twentieth seed Adrian Mannarino, who got here again to win 6-4 3-6 5-7 6-3 6-0 on Kia Area.
“I will see how the 12 months goes. Usually, I am fairly constructive with the place I’m proper now,” the 38-year-old mentioned.
“Even after the loss, there’s some good alternative for me to maintain pushing, maintain enjoying some good outcomes and hopefully I can come again subsequent 12 months.”
Elsewhere, tenth seed Alex de Minaur is into spherical two after Canadian former semi-finalist Milos Raonic retired within the third set on Rod Laver Area whereas the Australian was main 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 2-0.
On his main-draw debut, Italian qualifier Flavio Cobolli shocked 18th seed Nicolas Jarry by profitable 6-4 3-6 6-3 2-6 7-5 on courtroom 13.
American 21-year-old sixteenth seed Ben Shelton, who reached the US Open semi-finals final 12 months, defeated Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2 7-6 (7-2) 7-5.
Compatriot Sebastian Korda, the twenty ninth seed, received his opening match in opposition to Czech participant Vit Kopriva 6-1 6-4 2-6 4-6 6-4.
Ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland received 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 6-2 in opposition to Australian qualifier Omar Jasika and France’s two-time quarter-finalist Gael Monfils beat German Yannick Hanfmann 6-4 6-3 7-5.
Spain’s twenty third seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina progressed in straight units in opposition to Frenchman Fixed Lestienne, profitable 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-5).