World No. 2 Jannik Sinner begins his Australian Open title defense against Hugo Gaston as the opening round continues at Melbourne Park on Tuesday. The Italian enters with a perfect 15-match winning streak and an outstanding 36-3 hard court record over the past year, making him the overwhelming favorite against the struggling Frenchman. Elsewhere, fifth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti faces a tricky test against big-serving Raphael Collignon, while American Ben Shelton takes on Ugo Humbert in an intriguing clash of styles.
Sinner seeks dominant start to title defense
Jannik Sinner's first-round meeting with Hugo Gaston presents a stark contrast in form and confidence. The defending champion arrives in Melbourne carrying a 15-match winning streak and boasting an exceptional 92.3% win rate on hard courts over the past year. Sinner's pressure point statistics highlight his mental strength - he saves 72% of break points faced and converts 46% of his chances, numbers that dwarf most of the tour.
Gaston, meanwhile, has managed just four wins in 12 hard court matches over the past year, posting concerning numbers across the board. The Frenchman saves only 57% of break points and his first serve effectiveness drops significantly compared to Sinner's 81% success rate. Their head-to-head heavily favors the Italian at 2-0, with both previous meetings resulting in comfortable victories for Sinner. With a perfect 10-0 tiebreak record on hard courts backing him up, expect the world No. 2 to cruise into round two.
Musetti faces dangerous floater in Collignon
Lorenzo Musetti enters his opener against Raphael Collignon as a clear favorite, but the Belgian's serve could cause problems for the fifth seed. Collignon fires down 7.7 aces per match on hard courts and wins 76% of first serve points, impressive numbers that have helped him compete with higher-ranked opponents throughout 2025.
The concern for Collignon lies in his wayward second serve - he double faults 6.4 times per match and converts just 28% of break point opportunities. Musetti's superior return game should exploit these weaknesses, as he wins 53% of points against second serves compared to Collignon's vulnerability. The Italian's tiebreak struggles (5-10 record) represent his main worry, but Collignon's inconsistency on serve suggests this match won't reach that stage often.
Shelton and Humbert clash in power battle
Ben Shelton meets Ugo Humbert in their first career encounter, with both players entering in contrasting form. The seventh-seeded American has struggled recently with a 4-6 record in his last 10 matches, while Humbert arrives with seven wins in his past 10 outings. The Frenchman's superior break point conversion (40% vs 36%) could prove decisive in tight moments.
Fritz aims to halt losing slide against Royer
Taylor Fritz desperately needs a confidence boost after losing seven of his last 10 matches, but Valentin Royer arrives in even worse form with five straight defeats. Fritz's monster serve - averaging 12.1 aces per match - should overwhelm the Frenchman, who has managed just a 45% win rate on hard courts over the past year.
Hurkacz eyes upset against Bergs
Former world No. 9 Hubert Hurkacz carries dangerous form into his clash with 43rd-ranked Zizou Bergs. The Polish giant's serving remains elite - he averages 14.1 aces per match and saves 76% of break points faced. Bergs enters on a three-match winning streak, but his 60% break point save rate suggests vulnerability against Hurkacz's power game.
Khachanov and Michelsen renew rivalry
Karen Khachanov and Alex Michelsen meet for the third time after splitting their previous encounters. The Russian claimed their most recent battle in Toronto last August, but both players enter with mediocre form. Khachanov's superior tiebreak record (7-10 vs 8-7) might not inspire confidence, though his first serve effectiveness gives him an edge.
Machac looks to continue hot streak against Dimitrov
Tomas Machac rides a five-match winning streak into his encounter with veteran Grigor Dimitrov. The Czech player defeated Dimitrov in their only previous meeting in Vienna and holds advantages in both break point conversion (46% vs 30%) and recent form. Dimitrov's experience shows in pressure moments, but Machac's momentum makes him a live underdog.
Mpetshi Perricard's serve faces Baez test
Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard brings his thunderous serve against Sebastian Baez in their first meeting. The Frenchman's 14 aces per match create constant pressure, but his 22% return success rate against first serves could prove costly against Baez's solid service games. The Argentine's superior break point conversion (46% vs 31%) offers a clear path to victory if he can weather the serving storms.
Tuesday's action promises compelling storylines across all eight matches, from Sinner's comfortable progression to potential upsets involving Hurkacz and Machac. The day's results could reshape several tournament sections and provide early indicators of which players have arrived in Melbourne ready to challenge for major honors.