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Classy Jannik Sinner comforts devastated Hugo Gaston after 'unexpected' end to Australian Open first-round match

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Jannik Sinner has joined Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic by progressing into the Australian Open second round, taking two sets against Hugo Gaston before the Frenchman retired. The defending champion looked his typical imperious self on Rod Laver Arena, blasting baseline winners and drawing his opponent around the court. He will face James Duckworth in the next round.

Watch as a 'devastated' Gaston retires against Sinner after heartbreaking injury

Video credit: TNT Sports

Jannik Sinner comforted Hugo Gaston when the Frenchman abruptly retired from their Australian Open first-round match after going two sets behind.

With world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and 10-time Australian champion Novak Djokovic having already secured their spots in the second round, all eyes were on whether Sinner would join them, and perhaps more pertinently, how formidable the Italian would look in doing so.

And the four-time Grand Slam winner set out his stall on Rod Laver Arena with an utterly dominant performance, displaying not just his electric baseline proficiency but also his vibrant all-court game. He rattled home the two opening sets 6-2 6-1 in a little more than an hour before Gaston signaled for his early exit.

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The pair came to the net and embraced as Gaston appeared devastated before leaving the court with the crowd, and Sinner, applauding him on his way.

Sinner, who will face James Duckworth next, said in his on-court interview: "I saw he was not serving with a very high pace in the second set," Sinner said. "It's not the way you want to win a match.

"He's such a talented player, has incredible touch, moving very well. I knew, starting from the beginning, I had to play very well, as aggressive as possible."

Sinner checks in on Gaston after Frenchman takes 'nasty' tumble

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The world No. 2 took a break lead in the first set for 4-2, a game in which he showcased just about every world-class facet in his repertoire.

Making his French opponent scramble with groundstrokes crunched into the corners and coming in to punish, Sinner seized his advantage and kept the momentum rolling.

Sinner continued the momentum, taking the opening set with another break, and immediately storming into a 5-0 lead in the second set.

Gaston would recover and avoid the bagel but could not lay a finger on Sinner's domineering serve and that was when the first-round clash came to an early curtailment.

The Frenchman took a tumble earlier in the match and, though he did not seem to be nursing a significant injury, he retired immediately after going two sets down - sitting with his head in his hands courtside as he was consoled by Sinner before walking down the tunnel.

It was a sudden conclusion to the match, which seemed to take the crowd on Rod Laver Arena by surprise.

TNT Sports expert Tim Henman said in the studio: "We did see the trainer and doctor come on the court, they gave Gaston some pills that he swallowed.

Sinner pays tribute to devastated opponent - 'Not the way you want to win'

Video credit: TNT Sports

"Just at the end when he said to Jannik Sinner he couldn't continue, I thought he made some gesture towards his stomach. I don't know whether he was not feeling his best.

"We referred to [Flavio] Cobolli, who wasn't feeling well against Arthur Fery, so there might be a bug going around.

"It was unexpected, I do not think it altered the outcome of that match. Sinner was magnificent with his ball-striking. It was always going to be an uphill battle for Hugo Gaston."

Henman, though, was impressed with the performance displayed by Sinner in his short time on court.

He said: "The way Sinner is able to come in, the first proper match of the year. He did play an exhibition against [Carlos] Alcaraz, I wouldn't read anything into that.

Sinner 'efficient and impressive' in his first competitive match of the year

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I would read a little more into the [Felix] Auger-Aliassime practice match because that was out on Rod Laver Arena, and he did look so efficient, so impressive with his ball-striking, his movement was good.

"But this is the real deal, him coming out first match of the year as defending champion in a Grand Slam.

"He just hits the ground running, he was just very much all business, first-serve percentage was good, using the drop shot, not scared to finish points at the net. Although it was only two sets, I'm sure Sinner will be happy with his night's work."

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