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AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2013
Australian Open Diary: Murray Lays Down Gauntlet For Fans
Melbourne, Australia


Andy Murray's loyal supporters cheer for him at the Australian Open.

ATPWorldTour.com takes a look at the news and talking points at the Australian Open on the first Tuesday.

Murray Challenges Fans
World No. 3 Andy Murray has laid down a challenge to his loyal group of supporters in Melbourne: to come up with some new chants to inspire the Scot to a second major victory. Murray was cheered on by four young men, clad in vests to spell out ANDY, during his first-round win over Robin Haase on Tuesday and said:

“I think it's the same group of guys that come every single year. They've been there I would say at least four or five years. They've been coming to watch. We try to sort them out some tickets when we can. They're good support and pretty amusing songs. Although I think they haven't come up with too many new ones, so I challenge them to that.”

The New Tomic
Australian No. 1 Bernard Tomic is unbeaten in 2013, backing up his first title at the Apia International Sydney by dismissing Leonardo Mayer in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday night. After mixed fortunes in 2012, finishing with three successive first-round defeats, the 20 year old believes he has turned a corner.

“I sat down [after Paris] and really said, ‘What do I want and how do I change myself?’ Because I can be a good player always, but how do I become better and better and become possibly a great player in the future?

“That's the difference between what I want now and what I didn't want before. It's changed me. I feel I'm improving every day, and there is so much for me to improve. I can't wait for that process.”

Federer’s Faith In Hewitt
World No. 2 Roger Federer has long been an admirer of his Australian rival, Lleyton Hewitt, playing the fellow 31 year old 26 times. He knows only too well the Adelaide native’s love for the fight, and so hoped he would see him extend Janko Tipsarevic to five sets on Monday night.

“I saw a bit of Lleyton yesterday,” recalled the Swiss after his opening win against Benoit Paire. “I decided in the end I'd rather go out with my friends and have dinner and hopefully come back for the fifth set in case, and that never happened, unfortunately.”

Di Wu Makes History
Di Wu became the first Chinese man to contest a Grand Slam main draw match when he was beaten in four sets by Ivan Dodig on Tuesday in Melbourne. The 21 year old, who had visited Melbourne’s China Town the day before his match, said, “I very much enjoyed it. It was the first time I played here in the main draw. I just focused every shot, every point, and I was very much enjoying it here. Even though I lost, I can see the hopes ahead of me, so I will keep trying to do better next time.”

Photo Of The Day
Fans are enthralled on Margaret Court Arena, watching the first-round clash between Gael Monfils and Alexandr Dolgopolov, as the sun sets over Melbourne.



Quote Of The Day
“I guess not many people get quacks from the crowd,” joked James Duckworth after his thrilling five-set win over fellow Australian and close friend Ben Mitchell on Tuesday. “It was a great atmosphere, and something I feel privileged to be part of,” added the 20 year old.

Watch Tuesday Hot Shot

Match Of The Day
In a contest between two of the ATP World Tour’s veterans, 31-year-old Jarkko Nieminen saved one match point to oust 34-year-old Tommy Haas, the No. 19 seed, 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-3, 4-6, 8-6 in just over four hours. Nieminen trailed 5-6, 30/40 in the final set, but rallied to win the final three games to claim his first win in four meetings with three-time Australian Open semi-finalist Haas.

"Anytime you lose, especially with match point, is obviously disappointing,” said Haas. “That's the sport; unfortunately you have these ups and downs. It's a tough pill to swallow, but that's how it goes."