Short night's work for champ Sinner

JANNIK SINNER was fit and firing as he started his quest for a third straight Australian Open title against Hugo Gaston.

- YASMIN SYED

But the No.2 seed's opening match was cut short when the Frenchman retired in tears with Sinner leading 6-2 6-1.

It was the Italian's first match since early November, and he is now on a 16-match winning streak after ending last year with titles in Vienna, Paris and Turin. "I was very happy," said Sinner. "We put in a lot of work to be back on court.