The Albany Gazette - Fritz blitzes through as Medvedev, 'Demon' launch Open campaigns

World number four Jasmine Paolini headlines the women's action at Melbourne Park, with former finalist Elena Rybakina also in action.

Fritz blitzed fellow American Jenson Brooksby for the loss of only five games in a dominant 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 victory on John Cain Arena.

"It's never easy playing that first match in a Slam, there are some nerves, so I did a really good job shaking them off early and playing really solid," said Fritz, who took just 1hr 46min to dismantle his compatriot.

The 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu got off to a solid start with a 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/2) win against 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova from Russia. The 22-year-old Briton next faces American Amanda Anisimova.

Fifth seed Medvedev begins his 2025 season against Thailand's Kasidit Samrej on Rod Laver Arena and has pledged to be a "disruptor" against last year's Grand Slam kings Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

The feisty Russian has reached three of the last four finals at Melbourne Park.

He was outplayed by Novak Djokovic in 2021 before a heart-wrenching five-set defeat to Rafael Nadal a year later.

The 28-year-old again crashed in five sets after being two up against Sinner 12 months ago.

Medvedev has not played since the ATP Finals in November but said it had only given him more time to prepare.

"I felt like it was one of the best pre-seasons," he said.

"Last year Carlos and Jannik were beating me a lot of times in later stages of tournaments.

"I would like to become again.. let's say a disruptor, because it means that I will be able to get to these later stages and win them."

De Minaur, nicknamed "The Demon" by the Australian fans and media, is the big hope for a first home men's singles winner since Mark Edmondson in 1976.

- 'It means the world' -

The eighth seed begins in the prime-time evening slot on Rod Laver Arena against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.

"I'm going to do my best to hopefully play a lot of matches here, win a lot of matches, do Australia proud," said De Minaur, who recently got engaged to British number one Katie Boulter.

"As Australian tennis players we spend the majority of the year overseas.

"To get the chance and opportunity to start the year here at home, it just means the world."

Paolini said she got a taste for playing on the biggest stage after rocketing to world number four last year on the back of finishing runner-up at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

The 29-year-old Italian faces China's Wei Sijia on Margaret Court Arena.

"I think I grew up as a player last year, but also as a person I'm more mature," she said. "I believe more in myself than three or four years ago."

Rybakina starts against Australian junior world number one Emerson Jones, 16, who is tipped to follow in the footsteps of former Melbourne Park champion Ash Barty.

"I think she's definitely a good player," said Rybakina of the youngster, who will be making her Grand Slam main draw debut.

"When you're young, you have nothing to lose. And she's at home."

Men's 13th seed Holger Rune from Denmark survived a scare Tuesday when he was forced to five sets by China's Zhang Zhizhen before coming through 4-6, 6-3, 5-4, 3-6, 6-4.

But 13th seeding proved unlucky for Anna Kalinskaya, a quarter-finalist last year, who withdrew moments before her match against Australia's Kimberly Birrell.

Kalinskaya has not provided an official reason for pulling out. She was replaced by lucky loser Eva Lys of Germany.

(B.Smith--TAG)