Stan Wawrinka was knocked out of the Australian Open by unheralded American Tennys Sandgren on Thursday as concerns over his knee injury re-surfaced in a 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 defeat.
While the result was a huge shock, it was clear from the outset that the Swiss 32-year-old, champion in Melbourne in 2014, was hampered in his movement.
Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza refused to blame her heat-blistered feet as she became the biggest casualty on the women’s side. The third seed, whose preparation was hampered by a thigh injury, was always trailing against the 88-ranked Hsieh Su-wei from Chinese Taipei before being edged out 7-6(1), 6-4 in one hour and 59 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
Naomi Osaka of Japan hits a shot against Elena Vesnina of Russia.
Local-hope Ashleigh Barty rallied from a set down to beat Italian Camila Giorgi 5-7 6-4 6-1 in the second round. She will next face Japan’s Naomi Osaka, who defeated 16th seed Elena Vesnina 7-6(4) 6-2. Lucky loser Bernarda Pera sent ninth seed Johanna Konta tumbling out of the second round with a 6-4 7-5 upset in blazing sunshine on court two.
Dark horse David Goffin’s Australian Open hopes went up in smoke as he fell to a 1-6 7-6(5) 6-1 7-6(4) to French veteran Julien Benneteau. American Sam Querrey, 13th seed, was shown the door by little-known Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in four sets.
Meanwhile, World No. 2 Roger Federer continued his charge towards a 20th Grand Slam title with a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(4) win over German Jan-Lennard Struff. Serbian Novak Djokovic also progressed to the third round with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 win over France's Gael Monfils.
