John Millman has made the most of a lucky loser spot in the Indian Wells men’s singles draw, defeating the world Number 58 Jan-Lennard (31 year old) Struff in first-round action today.
The 32-year-old Australian (John Millman), a late addition when Belarusian Ilya Ivashka withdrew from the tournament earlier today, posted a 7-6(6) 6-4 victory against Struff.
It propels world No.77 Millman into a second-round showdown with compatriot and good friend Alex de Minaur.
World No.31 De Minaur, who received a first-round bye, has won all three of their previous tour-level meetings.
Jordan Thompson continued the winning run for Australian players in the Californian desert, scoring a hard-fought victory against Belgium’s David Goffin. The 27-year-old Aussie recorded a 4-6 7-5 7-6(3) first-round win against the former world No.7.
Thompson gallantly recovered from a 4-6 1-3 deficit, charging back to win the two-hour and 44-minute battle and book a second-round meeting with No.33 seed Grigor Dimitrov.
Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios also enjoyed a successful doubles reunion. Contesting their first tournament together since sensationally claiming the Australian Open title in January, the Special K’s posted a 7-5 1-6 [10-2] win against world No.22 Ivan Dodig and world No.41 Marcelo Melo.
Double Trouble 😈@TKokkinakis/@NickKyrgios continue their winning ways, scooping up a win over Dodig/Melo 7-5, 1-6, 10-2#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/n3jv9HFKWN
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 12, 2022
In women’s singles action, Romanian Sorana Cirstea ended the winning run of Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic. The No.26-seeded Cirstea recorded a 6-4 7-5 victory in their second-round clash.
Tomljanovic is still alive in the doubles draw, where she is teaming up with Greece’s Maria Sakkari. The duo recorded a three-set victory in the opening round today.
Storm Sanders has also started her doubles campaign strongly, scoring a first-round win alongside American partner Caroline Dolehide.
Aussies in action – Indian Wells
TODAY’S RESULTS
Men’s singles, first round
Jordan Thompson (AUS) d David Goffin (BEL) 4-6 7-5 7-6(3)
[LL] John Millman (AUS) d Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) 7-6(6) 6-4
Women’s singles, second round
[26] Sorana Cirstea (ROU) d Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) 6-4 7-5
Men’s doubles, first round
[WC] Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)/Nick Kyrgios (AUS) d Ivan Dodig (CRO)/Marcelo Melo (BRA) 7-5 1-6 [10-2]
Women’s doubles, first round
[8] Storm Sanders (AUS)/Caroline Dolehide (USA) d Lyudmyla Kichenok (UKR)/Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 6-1 4-6 [10-7]
Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS)/Maria Sakkari (GRE) d Petra Martic (CRO)/Shelby Rogers (USA) 4-6 6-4 [10-2]
COMING UP
Men’s singles, second round
[29] Alex de Minaur (AUS) v [LL] John Millman (AUS)
Jordan Thompson (AUS) v [33] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL)
[WC] Nick Kyrgios (AUS) v [32] Federico Delbonis (ARG)
Women’s singles, second round
[Q] Daria Saville (AUS) v [9] Ons Jabeur (TUN)
[LL] Astra Sharma (AUS) v [13] Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
Men’s doubles, first round
[5] John Peers (AUS)/Filip Polasek (SVK) v Marcelo Arevalo (ESA)/Jean-Julien Rojer (NED)
Men’s doubles, second round
[WC] Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)/Nick Kyrgios (AUS) v [WC] John Isner (USA)/Jack Sock (USA)
Women’s doubles, second round
[8] Storm Sanders (AUS)/Caroline Dolehide (USA) v Madison Keys (USA)/Jessica Pegula (USA)
Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS)/Maria Sakkari (GRE) v [3] Coco Gauff (USA)/Caty McNally (USA)
