PLAYER OF THE DAY: Jordan Thompson – the 23-year-old burst from the shadows of his more-heralded Australian Davis Cup teammates with a spirited 6-2 7-6 (14-12) 1-6 5-7 6-4 first-round win over big-hitting American third seed Jack Sock.

STAT OF THE DAY: Former US Open junior champion and one-time world No.17 Bernard Tomic is projected to plummet to 142nd in the rankings after his season from hell continued with a four-set loss to 19th seed Gilles Muller. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It’s not like I can go and start real estate or something, restaurants. I’ve got no idea about that. Yes, I can afford to do those things but I’ve got no idea. My job’s only to play tennis and it’s all I know. I’m not going to finish a doctor’s degree. I’m not the smartest person in the world.” – the ever-raw Tomic vowing to fight back.

HOW THE AUSSIES FARED: While Tomic, qualifier John-Patrick Smith and Thanasi Kokkinakis, who blew a two-set lead against Janko Tipsarevic all lost, Australia’s women were three from three with Ashleigh Barty, Arina Rodionova and Ajla Tomljanovic all joining Thompson in round two.

UPSET ALERT: Hard to call five-time champion Maria Sharapova an underdog but the Russian superstar emerged from a six-major doping ban to send second seed Simona Halep crashing out with a 6-4 4-6 6-3 win in her first grand slam outing since the 2016 Australian Open.

TOURNAMENT SUMMARY: Sock was the highest men’s seed to falter, with Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic, eighth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga along with local hopes John Isner and Sam Querrey all progressing in the men’s event. Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza, two-time winner Venus Williams and dual runner-up Caroline Wozniacki led most of the women’s big guns through.