Swiatek Holds Off Niemeier At Australian Open, Gauff v Raducanu Set; Jabeur, Sabalenka Tues.

Iga Swiatek had another tight match with Jule Niemeier. The German grabbed a set and a break lead against the world No. 1 at the US Open and last night at the Australian, led 5-3 in the second.

But Swiatek roared back winning the last four games to take the opener 6-4, 7-5.

“Honestly, I really wanted to be focused on myself because I know Jule can serve amazing,” Swiatek said. “At the US Open she was really using the fast conditions that we played in.”

Swiatek will take an 8-match Grand Slam win streak into her second round against Maria Osorio.

Earlier in the day, it was American-heavy with Coco Gauff, Danielle Collins and Jessica Pegula all winning.

Pegula crushed Jaqueline Christian 6-0, 6-1. Gauff overcame a break deficit in the second to women’s doubles No. 1 Katerina Siniakova while Collins had to outlast Anna Kalinskaya in three hours and three sets.

“Really pleased with myself,” Gauff said. “Katerina is a fighter I knew she was going to fight until the last point and she proved that today. I’m glad I stayed mentally right there.”

Gauff will now take on former US Open champion Emma Raducanu on Wednesday in a huge second round.

“Coco has obviously done a lot of great things and she’s playing well,” Raducanu said looking ahead to their first meeting. “I’m just looking forward to the matchup. I think we’re both good, young players, we’re both coming through. Part of the next generation of tennis really. Yeah, it’s going to be a great match.”

Elsewhere, Victoria Azarenka saved a second set point to defeat Sofia Kenin 6-4, 7-6(3). It was a match-up of the only two former champions in the women’s draw, and it went to the 33-year-old!

Grand Slam winners Petra Kvitova, Bianca Andreescu, Elena Rybakina, Jelena Ostapenko and Barbora Krejcikova were also winners.

Maria Sakkari and Madison Keys also advanced.

On Tuesday, three of the top 5 seeds will in action on Rod Laver Arena. Ons Jabeur, Caroline Garcia and Aryna Sabalenka are set for their 2023 Slam debuts.

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