Australian Open 2018: Men's Day 2 Review

Like Rafael Nadal the previous day, Novak Djokovic did not show any lingering effects of his elbow injury as he beat Donald Young, 6-1 6-2 6-4 in the first round of the Australian Open. Djokovic played with a support sleeve and used a modified service action to take pressure off his elbow. It does not appear that the elbow is fully healed and Djokovic will face a sterner test as he takes on Gael Monfils in the next round.

Federer during his match on Day 2

Swiss maestro Roger Federer also came through in straight sets beating Aljaz Bedene, 6-4 6-3 6-4. Federer had a few unforced errors and missed some regulation shots. However, he was never in any trouble. The only spot of bother he had was when he was double break point down in the fourth game of the second set but he was able to save them and win the game. It was not as dominating a performance as shown by Nadal and Djokovic.

Also returning from injury were Stanislas Wawrinka and Milos Raonic, albeit with different results. Wawrinka survived a scare as he advanced to the second round with a 4-set victory over Ricardas Berankis while Raonic was bundled out in four sets by World No 86, Lukas Lacko.

Juan Martin Del Potro knocked out promising American youngster, Frances Tiafoe, in straight sets. Veterans Tomas Berdych, Richard Gasquet, and Sam Querrey advanced to the next round along with Fernando Verdasco, who put out Roberto Bautista Agut.

Next-gen players, Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, and Karen Khachanov all won in straight sets while David Goffin and Daniil Medvedev required four sets. Hyeon Chung advanced when Mischa Zverev, elder brother to Alexander, retired trailing 2-6 1-4.

Day 3 will see Nadal back in action along with Dimitrov, Cilic, Kyrgios, Shapovalov, Tsonga, and Carreno Busta to name a few.