Stosur, Hewitt headline day two of Open

Lleyton Hewitt will seek to extend a golden start from local hopes at the Australian Open when day two begins in Melbourne.

Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis’ five-set triumphs late on Monday night capped Australia’s best start to the men’s tournament in 12 years.

The talented teens were joined in the second round by compatriots Bernard Tomic, Sam Groth, Marinko Matosevic, James Duckworth.

Not since 2003, when Hewitt was world No.1, have so many Australians progressed to the second round in Melbourne.

“There’s so many names right now, so it’s just an exciting time,” Kyrgios said, adding that he fed off Kokkinakis’ shock win over 11th seed Ernests Gulbis.

“When I saw him win on the scoreboard, it gave me a little bit of motivation.

“I was just real happy for him.”

Kokkinakis suggested it was the “best win” of his career.

“I beat a guy that made the semis of the French Open,” he said.

Hewitt, who will face Chinese wildcard Zhang Ze on Rod Laver Arena in Tuesday’s evening session, is one of five Australians in action on day two.

Samantha Stosur will confront her Melbourne Park mental demons when she faces Romanian Monica Niculescu at 11am AEDT on Tuesday.

Like Hewitt, Stosur will start as favourite.

But Stosur will carry the added sense of expectation that shadows her every time she plays the Australian Open.

Stosur, the country’s long-time No.1, has failed to progress beyond the fourth round in a dozen previous visits to Melbourne Park.

The three other Australians in action on Tuesday are Casey Dellacqua, Olivia Rogowska and Ajla Tomjlanovic.

Dellacqua is up against Austrian Yvonne Meusburger, Rogowska plays American Nicole Gibbs, while adopted Tomjlanovic takes on US qualifier Shelby Rogers.

Top seeds Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams start their Open campaigns against world No.116 Aljaz Bedene and Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck respectively.

Victoria Azarenka and Sloane Stephens could provide the match of the day when they meet on Hisense Arena at 11am.

Stephens and Azarenka, who won the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013, have a colourful history at Melbourne Park.

Azarenka defeated Stephens in the 2013 semi-final after taking a 12-minute medical timeout that halted the American’s comeback.

In 2014, Stephens suffered a fourth-round loss and apologised for a shot that struck Azarenka on the groin.

Azarenka has slipped down the rankings to No.44 due to a foot injury.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!