Jannik Sinner Advances in Australian Open After Opponent Retires

In a surprising turn of events at the Australian Open, Jannik Sinner advanced to the second round after his opponent, Hugo Gaston, retired following the first two sets. Sinner, the two-time defending champion, displayed impressive form on the court, but Gaston's inability to continue left spectators stunned. As Sinner prepares for his next match, he aims for a third consecutive title at this prestigious tournament. Read on to find out more about this unexpected match and Sinner's journey ahead.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 20, 2026, 15:29 IST

Sinner Moves to Second Round Following Gaston's Retirement

Jannik Sinner, the reigning champion for two consecutive years, progressed to the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday, completing the match in just over an hour after his French rival, Hugo Gaston, retired following the first two sets, which ended 6-2, 6-1 in Sinner's favor.

This match marked Sinner's first official appearance since he triumphed over Carlos Alcaraz to claim the ATP Finals title. The Italian, currently ranked second in the world, showcased his formidable skills on the Rod Laver Arena, a venue he has dominated for the past two years, before the match was unexpectedly halted.

After the second set, Gaston signaled that he could no longer continue and took a seat, visibly upset and covering his face with a towel.

Sinner expressed his surprise at Gaston's decision to retire but acknowledged that Gaston was not performing at his best.

Looking ahead, Sinner aims to secure his third consecutive Australian Open title and will face either James Duckworth or Dino Prizmic in the next round.