Event of the Day: Australian Open Day 1

Our event of the day is the first day of the 2018 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. This is the 106th edition of the tennis tournament and is particularly special, being the 50th Australian Open and the 200th overall Grand Slam event of the Open Era. Roger Federer, winner of a record 19 Grand Slam titles, clinched the men’s singles event title last year; while Serena Williams won’t defend the women’s singles trophy as she is not completely fit after giving birth to her daughter in September. As a consequence, the only two former champions in the women’s singles draw are Maria Sharapova and Angelique Kerber. On the tournament’s main court, the Rod Laver Arena, the first day begins with a duel of last season’s French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko and Francesca Schiavone, who won the same Grand Slam in 2010. They will be followed with the matchup between the seven-time Grand Slam champion and last year’s finalist Venus Williams, and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.

Grigor Dimitrov, who reached the semi-final last season and won the ATP Finals, will face qualifier Dennis Novak. The night session will begin with world number one, winner of 16 Grand Slams and last year’s finalist, Rafael Nadal, taking on Victor Estrella Burgos. Winner of 2017 US Open women’s singles, Sloane Stephens, and Zhang Shuai, will start the contest on the Margaret Court Arena. Home player and 17th seed Nick Kyrgios will play Rogério Dutra Silva in the night session match on the Hisense Arena. The first major tennis event of the season should start in style on the courts of Melbourne Park.

 

Honourable mentions around the globe go to the NBA clash between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The Cavaliers are going through a bad patch with three defeats in a row, but still hold third place in the Eastern Conference with a 26-16 record. The Warriors lead the entire league with a 35-9 record after a thrilling 127-125 away win at the Toronto Raptorson Saturday. In the Big Bash League, the Hobart Hurricanes host the Brisbane Heat at the Blundstone Arena in Hobart. It’s Day 3 of the 2nd Test of the Freedom Trophy between South Africa and India at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. In the NHL, the Boston Bruins take on the Dallas Stars at the TD Garden in Boston; whilst the Los Angeles Kings welcome the San Jose Sharks to the Staples Center in Los Angeles. In the Premier League, Manchester United face Stoke City at Old Trafford.

 

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

 

Fixture

 

Photos by ATP World Tour