“Not the way you want to win”: Defending champion Sinner advances as Gaston retires in tears
Jannik Sinner began his quest for a historic Australian Open three-peat on Tuesday night, moving into the second round after Frenchman Hugo Gaston was forced to retire due to injury.
Jannik Sinner, Melbourne 2026 | © PsNewz
The two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner made a clinical, if abbreviated, return to Melbourne Park on Tuesday. Facing the world No. 93 Hugo Gaston, the Italian second seed looked every bit the favorite, racing to a 6-2, 6-1 lead in just over an hour. However, the match came to a sudden halt at the start of the third set when Gaston, visibly physically compromised and in tears, informed the umpire he could not continue.
Gaston’s struggles became evident midway through the second set when his serving speed dropped significantly. Reports from the French camp suggest a combination of a wrist issue and the lingering effects of a heavy fall during the sixth game of the first set left him unable to compete at the required intensity. In a display of the sportsmanship that has defined his rise, Sinner immediately crossed the net to embrace and console the 25-year-old Frenchman as he broke down on his bench.
“I saw that he wasn’t serving with high pace, especially in the second set,” Sinner remarked during his on-court interview. “It’s not the way you want to win. He’s such a talented player with incredible touch. I knew from the beginning I had to play a very high level and be as aggressive as possible.”
The victory marks Sinner’s 15th consecutive win in Melbourne, a streak dating back to the start of his 2024 title run. Despite a nine-week layoff from official competition since winning the ATP Finals in Turin, Sinner dismissed any talk of “match rust,” citing a high-intensity exhibition against Felix Auger-Aliassime as the perfect tune-up. Off the court, the Italian credited a quiet holiday in his hometown with family and loved ones for his refreshed mental state. “We are around so many people all the time,” Sinner said. “I like to go somewhere very, very quiet to spend time with my family… it makes me even more happy to be back here.”
Sinner now moves forward to face the winner of the late-night clash between Australian wildcard James Duckworth and Croatian lucky loser Dino Prizmic.
