Jannik Sinner cruises into Australian Open second round after Hugo Gaston retirement

It was Sinner's first competitive match since defeating Carlos Alcaraz to win the ATP Finals in November, and the world No. 2 wasted little time asserting his dominance. Gaston, visibly struggling, took medication after the first set and ultimately retired, leaving the crowd disappointed but giving Sinner a chance to showcase his form early in the tournament.

"I've put in many long days in the off-season trying to become a better player," Sinner said after the match. "The most important part is to go on court and enjoy it. It's very special to start the season here in a Grand Slam with a packed stadium."

Sinner, who is aiming to become only the second man in the Open Era to win three consecutive Australian Open titles - a feat previously achieved by Novak Djokovic - also revealed the technical work he has been doing on his serve. He has slowed his motion, adjusted his toss, and refined his rhythm to gain more control, a key weapon he believes still holds untapped potential.

"It's not a shot I feel completely safe with yet, but we're working on it," Sinner explained. "The serve is the only shot where you can fully rely on yourself, and there's a lot of room to improve." These adjustments come despite Sinner finishing 2025 as the ATP Serve Leader, reflecting his ongoing commitment to marginal gains and incremental improvements.

Mental preparation has also been a focus for the Italian, who works closely with renowned coach Dr. Riccardo Ceccarelli to fine-tune his mindset throughout the season. "We're in contact consistently. It goes by period, by how I feel, and what mental statement I am in. There's still room to improve, and having a stable person to work with is very important," Sinner said.

On the court against Gaston, Sinner's dominance was clear. After an early 0-40 deficit in his first service game, he hit three aces in four points and never looked back, eventually racking up 19 winners and using angled drop shots to keep his opponent off balance.

Sinner's next challenge comes against Australian James Duckworth, whom he leads 2-1 in their head-to-head series. A win would take him into the third round as he pursues his fifth Grand Slam title and the long-term goal of reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking from Alcaraz.

With a blend of technical refinement, mental focus, and early dominance at Melbourne Park, Sinner has sent a clear message: he is ready to defend his crown and continue his quest for Grand Slam glory.

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