World turns on Aussie great over ‘shameful’ commentary quip; Sinner’s rival quits — Aus Open LIVE

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World No.2 Jannik Sinner is through to the second round after his opponent quit as night three at the Australian Open continues.

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SINNER CRUISES THANKS TO RETIREMENT

What looked like an easy night for Jannik Sinner only became easier when the world No.2’s first-round opponent Hugo Gaston retired hurt.

Sinner led 6-2 6-1 when Gaston pulled up stumps on the first-round match.

“I saw that he was not serving with a very, very high pace, especially in the second set,” Sinner explained.

“But, you know, it’s not the way you want to win the match. But he’s such a talented player, he has incredible touch, moving very, very well.

“So I knew starting from the beginning that I had to play very high level tennis, trying to be as aggressive as possible, which I’ve done so I’m very happy. I’m very happy to be back here.”

It was also easy going for in-form No.10 seed Belinda Bencic who belted Alex de Minaur’s fiance Katie Boulter 6-0 7-5.

AUSSIE GREAT COPS GLOBAL CRITICISM FOR DJOKOVIC COMMENT

Australian tennis champion Wally Masur is copping the ire of Serbia after an apparent joke made during commentary on Novak Djokovic’s first-round match last night.

Masur, who works for the world feed produced by the Australian Open, was covering Djokovic’s comfortable first-round win over Spain’s Pedro Martinez.

With Martinez not looking likely to claim victory, Masur quipped at one point after Djokovic slid to hit a forehand: “I think that’s Pedro’s biggest chance – if Novak just tears an adductor on one of those slides. It might be just what he needs.”

The line was spotted by social media users and then picked up by Serbian media outlets.

“A shameful comment about Djokovic in a live feed. Is it possible that a commentator is saying this?” Nova TV said.

Tabloid outlet Telegraf called the comment “catastrophic” while Mondo said it was “a famous tennis player’s live feed scandal”.

Masur spoke jovially with Djokovic on court after the match, in an interview which saw the 10-time Australian Open champion rave about his own body.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN NIGHT 3 ORDER OF PLAY

Show courts and Aussies - all times AEDT

Rod Laver Arena

From 7pm

Hugo Gaston (FRA) vs [2] Jannik Sinner (ITA)

[16] Naomi Osaka (JPN) vs Antonia Ruzic (CRO)

Margaret Court Arena

Night session from 7pm

Katie Boulter (GBR) vs [10] Belinda Bencic (SUI)

Shintaro Mochizuki (JPN) vs [31] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)

John Cain Arena

Night session from 5pm

Valentin Royer (FRA) vs [9] Taylor Fritz (USA)

[Q] Maddison Inglis (AUS) vs Kim Birrell (AUS)

ANZ Arena

(Est. 7pm)

Daria Kasatkina (AUS) vs [Q] Nikola Bartunkova (CZE)

Court 6

Third match (est. 5:30pm)

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