Jannik Sinner’s Australian Open title defense began with a short, sharp reminder of why he owns this court. On Tuesday night inside Rod Laver Arena, the two-time defending champion moved into the second round when Hugo Gaston retired due to illness while trailing 6-2, 6-1. It was not the ending anyone wanted, least of all Sinner, but the message was clear: his level and focus are already tuned for a deep run.

For Sinner, this is the first step in a bid to do something rare: win three straight Australian Opens. In the Open Era, only Novak Djokovic has done that here. The Italian’s tone after the match was both respectful and firm. He noticed Gaston wasn’t serving with his usual pop in the second set and admitted, “It’s not a way you want to win the match.” Still, he handled the moment with composure and care, and the tennis he displayed before the retirement spoke volumes.

A short night at Rod Laver, a strong start for the champion

The night turned early. Sinner took the opening set 6-2 with clean ball striking and smart court position. Gaston called for the doctor after the set, and though he tried to continue, his energy and serve pace dropped. Sinner kept the pressure on and ran through the second set 6-1.

There was a flashpoint in the sixth game. Sinner crafted a soft, perfect drop shot to earn a break point. Gaston chased, slipped, and sprawled on the court. Sinner immediately walked to the net to check on him. A medical timeout followed, but it was unrelated to the fall. Soon after, the Frenchman made the call he had tried to avoid. He could not continue.

Afterward, Sinner put the night in perspective. “He’s such a talented player, so I knew I had to play at a very high level, try to be aggressive as possible, which I’ve done. So I’m very happy, very happy to be back here.” It summed up the balance: empathy for an opponent, satisfaction with his own clean start.

“Three-peat watch is on, but nobody wants a win like this. Still, Sinner looked locked in.”

What’s next: Prizmic or Duckworth in Round 2

Sinner will face either lucky loser Dino Prizmic or Australian wild card James Duckworth next. The matchup will demand focus of a different kind. A lucky loser can swing free with nothing to lose. A wild card often rides a wave of belief. Either way, Sinner’s job is simple: keep his level where it started and build on it.

His Australian Open record now includes six appearances and back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025. The confidence that comes with winning on this court matters. So does the routine. From the first hit to the last ball, Sinner’s process tends to look the same, no matter the opponent. That steadiness is what makes him so hard to derail in Melbourne.

The form behind the scoreline

Results can blur the tennis. Not here. Sinner’s choices were clear from the start: step in, take time away, and move forward when the ball invited it. Before the tournament, he talked about small but important tweaks in his game, especially transitions to the net and serve adjustments. Those are the touches that turn tight points into quick holds and break chances.

He also stressed that he’s not aiming at one rival, not even Carlos Alcaraz. The goal is full growth. “I felt very prepared… I’m very happy with how I started off today. Of course there was a bit of tension, but now this is time to enjoy it. We practise for moments like this, so it’s great to be back here.” That line fits what we saw: a calm, well-drilled champion starting fast.

“If Sinner’s serve and forward game keep ticking up, the field is in trouble.”

Respect in the moment, eyes on the bigger prize

Sinner’s check-in at the net after the drop shot said a lot. He plays hard, but he plays fair. When he said, “It’s not a way you want to win the match,” he meant it. Yet champions still have to be ready when the ball is in play. In the points that mattered, he was sharp. His feet were set on returns, his depth was heavy, and his direction changes kept Gaston on a string.

There will be tougher tests ahead. But round one (even shortened) offered a useful take: Sinner’s base level remains high, and his mind is where it needs to be. The first night nerves he mentioned didn’t show for long. Once he settled, the patterns were familiar and effective.

The numbers: clarity on a dominant stretch

• Score at retirement: Sinner led 6-2, 6-1.
• Head-to-head: Sinner now 3-0 against Hugo Gaston.
• Australian Open ledger: Champion in 2024 and 2025; 6 appearances overall.
• Career snapshot: 24 singles titles; 321-86 win-loss record.

These are not just stats. They point to a player who knows how to win and knows how to raise his level on this court. The three-peat chase is not just a story. It’s a target built on proof.

“We didn’t get the marathon, but champions deal with what’s in front of them. Sinner did that.”

Tuesday night takeaways

There was empathy and excellence. There was also control. Sinner kept rallies on his terms and handled the moment with care when Gaston struggled. The drop shot that led to the key break chance showed soft hands and quick thinking. The quick hold games showed a clean start with the serve.

Most of all, Sinner’s words matched his actions. He’s looking at steady growth rather than one rival or one matchup. He’s working on the fine points that win big matches in week two. Tuesday did not go the distance, but it did underline that his plan remains on track.

The next step comes against Dino Prizmic or James Duckworth. Different styles, different stories, same task: start fast, stay calm, and keep the baseline command. If Sinner keeps stacking sharp, efficient sets, the road to a possible third straight title will stay wide open.

For now, the headline is simple. Jannik Sinner is through to round two of the Australian Open 2026. He’s healthy, focused, and already showing why he’s the man to beat on Rod Laver Arena.