MELBOURNE (AUSTRALIA) (ITALPRESS) – “The first slam of the season can be loaded with tension, but I am aware of the work of these weeks and all the efforts made, so I am confident.” Jannik Sinner thus commented on his victory over Alexei Popyrin, beaten 6-4 7-6(2) in an exhibition match for Opening Week, the series of events organized at the Australian Open during the week of qualifying. The proceeds from this match will be donated to the Australian Tennis Foundation, a foundation that focuses on charitable projects and giving through tennis opportunities for a better future to children. The Italian thus enjoys his first unofficial victory in his first match on Rod Laver Arena since the Australian Open 2024 final, which crowned him the first Italian on the tournament’s singles roll. As for qualifying for the first Slam of the new year, in the men’s field Mattia Bellucci joins Francesco Passaro and Matteo Gigante in the second round. The 23-year-old tennis player from Lombardy, number 101 in the world rankings, won in his debut over 18-year-old Australian Pavle Marinkov (806 ATP) with a score of 6-3 6-3. Among the women, Sara Errani advances to the second round in the ‘cadet’ draw. The veteran from Romagna, number 107 in the world rankings, eliminated Russian Alina Korneeva, world number 1 junior in 2023 when she won Australian Open and Roland Garros under 18 and current 177 Wta, in a comeback 2-6 6-3 6-3. Immediately out instead was Nuria Brancaccio, 183rd in the world rankings, defeated 6-2 3-6 6-4 by German Tamara Korpatsch (174).- Photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
