Today January 20, 2026, 11:55 AM
Today January 20, 2026, 11:55 AM
Jannik Sinner progressed into the second round of the 2026 Australian Open on Tuesday after his first-round opponent, Hugo Gaston, retired due to an apparent physical issue. The match took place at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.
Sinner was leading Gaston 6-2, 6-1 after just over an hour of play when the Frenchman signalled he could not continue. Gaston’s retirement came amid visible discomfort, and the match was officially halted at that point.
The Italian second seed will now face either James Duckworth or Dino Prizmic in his next match at the Grand Slam tournament. Sinner’s victory marks his opening round success as he defends his Australian Open title for the third consecutive year.
On-court, Sinner offered a gesture of sportsmanship after the match ended, acknowledging Gaston’s effort during the contest. No further details have been released regarding the specific nature of Gaston’s condition.
Tournament officials confirmed the result and Sinner’s advancement; Gaston’s condition remains under review by medical personnel.
