BRISBANE: Defending champion Grigor Dimitrov eased into round two of the Brisbane International with a hard-fought win over qualifier Yannick Hanfmann on Monday, but Holger Rune crashed to defeat.

Bulgaria’s second seed Dimitrov has a great track record in the city, winning the title twice, as well as making the final in 2013.

His 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 victory over Germany’s Hanfmann was his 24th in Brisbane, more than any other player.

Yet he has flown under the radar this year due to the presence of former world number one Novak Djokovic and the comeback of mercurial Australian Nick Kyrgios after an 18-month injury lay-off.

Djokovic and Kyrgios teamed up for an unlikely doubles appearance and won their first-round clash 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 10/8 over Austria’s Alexander Erler and German Andreas Mies.

The two men rarely play doubles and got together for this tournament, although Djokovic hinted earlier Sunday they may pair up for next year’s Grand Slams.

They won the first set against the doubles specialists Erler and Mies with one break of Mies’ serve, but lost a close second set before clinching the win with a match tiebreak.

“Nick said the other day that it should be a pleasure to play with him and it is,” a smiling Djokovic said. “I’m glad to share the court with him on his comeback.

“I haven’t played that many doubles matches in my life so whatever Nick was saying, I was following.”

Kyrgios said he was just pleased to be playing again.

“This injury’s been brutal for me so I was just glad to get back on court,” he said.

Dimitrov first played Brisbane in 2012, when he finished runner-up to Andy Murray.

“I came here 15 years ago and since day one I’ve had that love affair [with Brisbane], so I want to keep on going, keep on testing myself and delivering as long as I can,” Dimitrov said.

“Hopefully I can continue and go all the way again. I enjoy the weather — it’s hot and humid and I like that,” added the world number 10.

Czech Jiri Lehecka caused a major upset with a 7-5, 6-3 win over third-seeded Norwegian Rune.

“To win and begin the season like that is always a good start,” the 23-year-old Lehecka said. “The conditions suit me well here.”

Earlier, eighth-seeded Australian Jordan Thompson came from a set down to overcome former world number six Italian Matteo Berrettini 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Berrettini is now 34th in the world, only eight places behind Thompson and that closeness showed in a match that last two hours, 15 minutes on Pat Rafter Arena.

“I mean today I think I was eighth seed and playing Berrettini,” Thompson said. “I don’t know how he’s not seeded. But I feel like everybody could be a seed. This is one of the strongest tournaments of the year.”

In other matches, French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi upset sixth seeded Chilean Alejandro Tabilo 6-7 (8-10), 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, while American Alex Michelsen beat Australia’s Christopher O’Connell 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (12-10).

Chile’s Nicolas Jarry downed Mariano Navone of Argentina and Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka beat Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, both in straight sets.

In the women’s draw, Russia’s Polina Kudermetova defeated China’s Wang Yafan 6-1, 6-3.

However, the Russian’s older sister Veronika was knocked out by American Payton Stearns 6-2, 6-3.

Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina progressed when her Chinese opponent Wang Xinyu retired hurt with Kalinina leading 6-4, 2-0.

In an all-Australian battle, wildcard Kimberly Birrell outlasted training partner Priscilla Hon 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2024