Australian Open: Medvedev Talks Down Favourite Tag In Djokovic's Absence

Daniil Medvedev has played down talks of being the Australian Open favourite in the absence of nine-time winner Novak Djokovic as he made a winning start to his campaign in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The Russian world No 2, who is looking for back-to-back Grand Slam crowns after beating Djokovic in last year's US Open final, negotiated an unruffled 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) win over Switzerland's Henri Laaksonen in 1hr 54min on Rod Laver Arena.

Medvedev is aiming to go one better than last year's losing final appearance against Djokovic – and with the world No 1 back home in Serbia after his deportation, the Russian is the prime candidate for the title.

"It cannot change my approach, because it's still seven tough matches to win," Medvedev said.

"It was the same at the US Open. I had six tough matches against tough opponents to get in the final and then I had Novak to beat," he explained.

"And it's the same, no matter how I do here, how far I go, if I'm in the final, who I play, it's not gonna be easy and you need to show your best to win a slam."

Tuesday's match wasn't Medvedev's best tennis, but it was enough to take out the 91st-ranked Laaksonen in straight sets.

The Russian broke Laaksonen's serve four times, but he totted up more unforced errors than winners – 23-21.

The Swiss was more than competitive in the extended rallies, particularly in the latter stages of the match.

"It was not that easy a match," Medvedev admitted. "In the third set he played at a really top level. I'm happy that I managed to stay calm on my serve."

The second seed dropped his opening service game but reeled off the next six games to take the first set.

When Laaksonen finally held service in the opening game of the second set the crowd loudly cheered.

The Swiss did better in the second set, but Medvedev was still controlling things with his methodical groundstrokes.

Laaksonen raised his level and came out on top of several long rallies, but Medvedev's experience proved the difference in the third-set tiebreaker.

MURRAY STARTS AUSTRALIAN OPEN WITH EPIC WIN

Andy Murray battled to his first win at the Australian Open since 2017 with an epic five-set victory over 21st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili on Tuesday.

The three-time Grand Slam champion, playing with a metal hip following career-saving surgery in 2019, wrestled with the Georgian for almost four hours before claiming his place in the second round.

Scotland's Murray, ranked 113 and playing as a tournament wild card, showed his trademark fighting spirit to edge home in the gripping final set and clinch a 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 victory in 3hr 52 min on John Cain Arena.

It comes after his tearful exit from the 2019 Melbourne event with the hip injury which raised the possibility of his imminent retirement from tennis, before he went ahead with surgery just weeks later.

"Amazing, been a tough three or four years. Put in a lot work to get back here," a relieved Murray, 34, said on court.

"I've played on this court many times and the atmosphere is incredible.

"It's amazing to be back and winning a five-set battle like that, I couldn’t ask for any more."

It continued a keen rivalry between the pair with Murray rallying from a set down to defeat the big-hitting Georgian last week in Sydney and also prevailing over four sets in the first round at Wimbledon last year.