Sinner strolls through, Keys makes shaky start

Jannik Sinner barely broke sweat in launching his quest to win a third Australian Open in a row yesterday as Madison Keys got the defence of her crown off to a stuttering start.

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Popular Frenchman Gael Montfils meanwhile bid farewell to Melbourne Park with an epic defeat and thanks for “an amazing ride”.

The Italian Sinner strolled into round two when French opponent Hugo Gaston retired on Rod Laver Arena with the second seed in full control at 6-2, 6-1.

Gaston slumped to his chair and shook his head as his Australian Open ended in distress.

Two-time reigning champion Sinner said it was not how he wanted to win, but was pleased with his night's work.

“I knew from the beginning that I had to play a very high level and was trying to be as aggressive as possible, which I've done,’ he said.

Should he win three titles in a row in Melbourne, Sinner would join Novak Djokovic as the only men in the Open era to do so.

Great entertainer Monfils was bundled out in the first round in a brave goodbye to a tournament he has lit up so many times down the years.