Final goodbye?

Melbourne, January 14 

Five-time finalist Andy Murray fell in a five-set thriller against Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut in the opening round of the Australian Open on Monday, while top contenders Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal recorded comfortable victories.

Struggling with a chronic hip injury, three-time Grand Slam champion Murray had the Melbourne crowd roaring when he came back from two sets down before losing 6-4 

6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(4) 6-2 in just over four hours. “If this was my last match, it was an amazing way to end,” the 31-year-old said. “I gave everything I had — it wasn’t enough tonight.” 

In an emotional news conference on Friday, Murray said the Australian Open could be his last tournament but after the match he left ajar the door for a return next year. “If I want to go again, I’ll need to have a big operation, which there’s no guarantee I’ll be able to come back from anyway, but I’ll give it my best shot,” he added.

Defending champion Federer cruised into the second round with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Uzbek Denis Istomin.

Nadal, 17 times a Grand Slam winner, powered past local hope James Duckworth 6-4 6-3 7-5 to kickstart his campaign. American John Isner became the first top-10 player to bite the dust when he was stunned by compatriot Reilly Opelka 7-6(4) 7-6(6) 6-7(4) 7-6(5). — Reuters

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Day 1’s other big results (Round 1)

Men: 6-Marin Cilic (CRO) bt  Bernard Tomic (AUS) 6-2

6-4 7-6(3); 10-Karen Khachanov (RUS) bt Peter Gojowczyk (GER) 3-6 6-3 

6-4 6-3; 30-Gael Monfils (FRA) bt Damir Dzumhur (BIH) 6-0 6-4 6-0; Tomas Berdych (CZE) bt 13-Kyle Edmund (GBR) 6-3 6-0 7-5

Women: 8-Petra Kvitova (CZE) bt Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 6-3 6-2; 11-Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) bt Anna Kalinskaya (RUS) 6-1 6-4; Maria Sakkari (GRE) bt 22-Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 6-1 

3-6 6-2; 5-Sloane Stephens (USA) bt Taylor Townsend (USA) 6-4 6-2

Day 2’s main matches

Women: Tatjana Maria (Germany) vs 16-Serena Williams (US); 4-Naomi Osaka (Japan) vs Magda Linette (Poland); 

1-Simona Halep (Romania) vs Kaia Kanepi (Estonia) 

Men: 4-Alexander Zverev (Germany) vs Aljaz Bedene (Slovenia); 1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) vs Mitchell Krueger (US); Benoit Paire (France) vs

7-Dominic Thiem (Austria); Nick Kyrgios (Australia) vs 

16-Milos Raonic (Canada) 

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Prajnesh bows out 

Prajnesh Gunneswaran’s maiden Grand Slam appearance ended in disappointment after American Frances Tiafoe defeated the Indian 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 6-3 in the opening round. “It was a good experience. I played a good match overall, had chances in all sets. I struggled a bit with the sun, (it’s) different in Australia for some reason,” Gunneswaran said. 

Easy wins

In the women’s draw, Caroline Wozniacki started her title defence with a 6-3 6-4 victory against Belgian Alison van Uytvanck. World No. 2 Angelique Kerber moved into the second round with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Slovenia’s Polona Hercog, while Maria Sharapova raced past British qualifier Harriet Dart in a 6-0 6-0 win.

Petkovic collapses

Andrea Petkovic was forced to retire from her opening match against Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu after collapsing on court during the eighth game of the second set. Petkovic eventually got back on her feet and played another point before calling it a day.

Agassi in the house

Grigor Dimitrov said having eight-time Major champion Andre Agassi (in pic) in his corner as coach had not just sharpened his game but also improved his outlook on life. “I’m just a better person, period. On a daily basis, I have learned something new from him,” Dimitrov, who began working with the American great last October, said after beating Janko Tipsarevic.