Defending champion Jannik Sinner bounced back from a first-set setback to beat wild card Tristan Schoolkate at the Australian Open, while Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis were forced to withdraw from their doubles match through injury.
Sinner was rocked early by local hope Schoolkata before recovering to reach the third round with a 4-6 6-4 6-1 6-3 win.
World No. 1 Sinner has won 30 of his last 31 matches in the competition and hasn't dropped a set in 15 matches since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in Beijing last October.
“It's always difficult to play against a player I've never played before, he played really well early on, served really well,” said top seed Sinner.
“I have to be very happy with my performance, I never take anything for granted, and I'm really happy to be in the next round. I can improve, yes, but I'll take it.”
Next up for Sinner looking to build on his Grand Slam hard court titles in Melbourne and New York last year is the US No.46. Marcos Giron.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis withdraw from their doubles match
Nick Kyrgios (right) and Thanasi Kokkinakis were forced to withdraw from the Australian Open duel
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis' bid to repeat their doubles triumph at the 2022 Australian Open ended in retirement when the latter was unable to continue in the first round.
Kokinakis was advised not to play against compatriots James Duckworth and Aleks Vukic after aggravating a hand injury in the five-set singles defeat. British No. 1 Jack Draper on Wednesday.
“I'm going to have to do a serious procedure now, probably. I have to talk to as many experts as possible,” Kokkinakis told reporters after retiring, trailing 7-5 3-2.
“I can't serve, I can't hit a high forehand. It hurts a lot. I wanted to see if I was at all competitive, even without service.
“I just wanted to get back on the field with the big guy. Such great memories. We had a big crowd, we knew it was waiting for us.”
Kokinakis injury ends 'Special K' couples reunion
Kyrgios proposed after his first-round loss to Scot Jacob Fearnley on Monday that he may never again play singles at his home Grand Slambut he is open to continue pairing with his friend.
“I think at full potential and full health we could always do some damage in doubles. I obviously felt the crowd tonight was ready to erupt from the start,” Kyrgios said.
“For me personally, I couldn't imagine playing more than probably this year at a high level in singles. Doubles is a little easier on the body. I think we can still play amazing doubles.”
Fritz to donate prize money to the LA fires
Taylor Fritz to donate £67,000 to LA bushfires relief
American Taylor Fritz is donating his first round prize money to help people affected by the wildfires in California.
The fourth seed advanced to the third round with a 6-2 6-1 6-0 win over Chile's Cristian Garin, then revealed he will give A$132,000 (about £67,000) in aid.
“I just want everyone to stay safe, it's just crazy what happened,” said Fritz, who lived in Los Angeles and was surrounded by family and friends.
“I wanted to say something after the first round match, but I will be donating my money from the first round to the LA fire relief funds. It's really the least I could do.
“Southern California is my home and LA has been my home for a very long time, so I'm just doing what I can to help. I would also encourage anyone else who can donate to help as there are many who really need help.
“I have friends affected. I had to evacuate some families. The house where my brothers grew up burned down.”
Fritz reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open last summer and has been relentless in Melbourne so far, dropping just eight games in six sets.
He will face the 38-year-old next Gael Monfilswho continued his excellent start to the season with a 7-5 6-3 7-6 (3) win over Daniel Altmaier.
Monfils became the oldest winner of an ATP Tour title in Auckland last weekend and feels he has nothing left to prove.
“I can finish now,” he said. “I think in a way I've done what I want to do. If I do more, that's a bonus. I'm happy. As I always say from day one, the most important thing for me is my health. Tennis has given me everything I can even imagine, so I am already blessed.”
Fonseca's streak is coming to an end
Promising Brazilian 18-year-old Joao Fonseca knocked out the Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-7 (8-6) 6-3 6-1 3-6 6-3, after marking his Grand Slam main draw debut with a straight sets victory over ninth seed Andrei Rublev.
A local favorite Alex de Minaur so far he has been trouble-free and pulled off a 6-2 6-4 6-3 win over American Tristan Boyer, whose home town was hit hard by the fires, while the Serbian Miomir Kecmanović he knocked off 18th seed Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets.
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