She’s been the last Aussie standing at the last two Australian Opens, and Daria Gavrilova will be looking to kickstart a third successful tournament in a row when she takes on American qualifier Irina Falconi in the first round. Join The Roar for live scores, updates and analysis from approximately 9pm AEDT.
Rising star Ashleigh Barty may have overtaken her as the top-ranked Australian female, but as the 23rd seed, and with an excellent record at her adopted home Slam, the diminutive one-time Russian is arguably still Australia’s best hope of going deep into the tournament.
A pair of fourth-round finishes in 2016 and 2017 at Melbourne Park entrenched her as a fan favourite, but they’re still the only times she’s made it past the second round at any of the majors, indicating she’s still a way off mixing it with the very best in the business.
Still, her form leading up to the tournament has been impressive, reaching the semi-final of the Sydney International before losing to countrywoman Barty, and in front of a normally vocal crowd at Rod Laver Arena, she can expect the lion’s share of the support from the stands.
Her opponent, little-known American Irina Falconi, is somehow even shorter than Gavrilova, and at just 163 centimetres (5 feet 4 inches), fans sitting near the back of the arena may struggle to even see her during the match.
What they can’t fail to observe, however, is a splendid run of wins leading into the biggest tournament of her career, the 27-year old cantering through three straight-sets qualifying matches, dropping just 12 games in total – and six of those were in one tie-break set in Game 2.
She’s tasted victory at the last four Australian Opens, but in all of them has bowed out in the second round, and with the clock ticking on her tennis prime, the American would dearly love a rare deep entry into a major tournament.
Prediction
With good form, support from the crowd and a history of performing well at Melbourne Park, it’s hard to go past Gavrilova in this one. It would be a career victory for Falconi, but she’d have to play out of her skin to pull it off.
Gavrilova in straight sets
The tournament only gets tougher for Gavrilova from here on in, with 12th-seeded German Julia Goerges a potential third-round match-up, and with the still-mighty Venus Williams in her part of the draw, “Dasha” can ill afford any slip-ups costing her precious momentum in the early rounds.
Can the adopted Aussie give the crowd something to cheer and make her way into the second round? Or will the unknown American spoil the party?
Tune into The Roar’s live coverage from approximately 9pm (AEDT) and be sure to weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section below.
Tim Miller
Editor
Well, that's it from me this evening. Thanks for your company! Daria Gavrilova through to the second round of the Australian Open with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 win over American qualifier Irina Falconi. She'll play Belgian Elise Mertens in the second round on Wednesday. I'll be on again tonight for Ashleigh Barty and Aryna Sabalenka. Be sure to keep an eye on our coverage of Alex De Minaur, Roger Federer and everyone else tomorrow. Goodnight!
Scott Pryde
Expert
I'm pretty sure she gives the best interviews in tennis. Deadset though, how awkward was that. "I'm pretty sure the My Kitchen Rules guys aren't Russian." Basil was just... Err, what do I say.
Tim Miller
Editor
Aaand Basil Zempilas just asked a My Kitchen Rules-related question. That's my cue to switch off.
Tim Miller
Editor
"I'm not putting expectations on myself," Gavrilova says. "All I do is go out and fight every point."
Tim Miller
Editor
"Thanks for staying up," Gavrilova says to all the fans. "At one point, I wasn't too happy with some of them [her support base] going outside and taking a piss," she laughs. "But they needed to go." Don't we all?
Tim Miller
Editor
GAME, SET AND MATCH GAVRILOVA Daria Gavrilova defeats Irina Falconi 6-1, 6-1. Another break, her seventh of the match, and that's it for Gavrilova! The crowd groans as Gavrilova sends a forehand return wide. 15-0 Now it's Falconi's turn to err as she sends her backhand into the net. 15-15 Excellent again from Gavrilova, she pushes Falconi deep behind the baseline before trying a well-placed drop shot, the American gets there but can only lob a weak return, and Dasha pulverises the backhand winner down the line! 15-30 And match points now for the Aussie as she slices down the line, Falconi goes for a cross-court pass as Gavrilova goes up to the net but sends it wide. 15-40 Gavrilova goes wide and deep on the return but it just goes wide, she challenges but it's out by about half a millimetre! Eagle-eyed linesman vindicated. 30-40 But she doesn't need another chance, the pair trade groundstrokes before a backhand return from Falconi is just too short, and Dasha steps up and hammers an inside-out forehand for a winner, roaring in triumph as she does so! An emphatic win for the Aussie, and a perfect start for her Open campaign.
Tim Miller
Editor
GAME GAVRILOVA Gavrilova 5-1 Falconi Gavrilova puts plenty of power into her forehands again, and Falconi can't handle it as she sends a stretched forehand into the net. 15-0 Some luck finally for the American as Gavrilova's cross court forehand kisses the net, lobs up, and lands just outside the line. 15-15 Falconi trying more ambitious shots now, but this one doesn't pay off as she goes for the baseline with a swinging backhand down the line but it goes long. 30-15 Gavrilova sees Falconi deep in the court, tries a drop shot but Falconi's onto it in a flash, she just can't get to it quickly enough to hammer a winner so has to lob, and Gavrilova covers it and smashes into open court. 40-15 And a wide serve does the trick for Dasha, Falconi can't return and the Aussie is now just one game away.
Tim Miller
Editor
GAME GAVRILOVA Gavrilova 4-1 Falconi Dasha breaks right back, and Falconi is 0 and 6 from her service games tonight. Double fault from Falconi as she sends a second serve long; she can't afford mistakes like those now. 0-15 Gavrilova keeps Falconi well behind the baseline with some heavy hitting, and it pays off as the American eventually sends a forehand into the net. 15-15 Falconi errs as she comes into the net before sending a smash right to Gavrilova, but the Aussie can only lob and she makes amends on the second attempt, slicing a winner into open court. 30-15 Gavrilova roars in triumph as she sends a brilliant inside-out forehand past a wrong-footed Falconi. 30-30 Good wide first serve and then a nice return sets up the point from Falconi, but Gavrilova comes into the net and Falconi tries a lob, but it goes just long. 30-40 Gavrilova defends grimly as Falconi sends her racing around the court, but she can't do much about a powerful cross-court winner. 40-40 Break points again for Dasha as she sends a backhand winner down the line to the cheers of the crowd. 40-AD And she's still looking for that first hold of serve tonight as she sends a second serve well wide. Poor tennis there; you can't afford to be missing second serves when you're a set and a break down.
Tim Miller
Editor
GAME FALCONI Gavrilova 3-1 Falconi Falconi finally on the board in the second set, and breaks a run of nine straight games for the Aussie. Fourth double fault from Dasha as her second serve kisses the net. 0-15 Gavrilova looks a little frustrated here as she sends a forehand wide. She's just taken her foot off the pedal here. 0-30 But gets it right back on again with a powerful winner down the line. 15-30 Break points for Falconi, and a chance for her first game since the opening one tonight, as Gavrilova sends a return into the net. 15-40 And she gets it, some good defence from the baseline keeps Falconi in the game, and Gavrilova eventually slices a backhand into the net.
Tim Miller
Editor
@Scott At least it's not as bad as the time Tomic could only last one set against Nadal. I remember a lot of people being very ticked off by that one! But on a side note, it's better value for money going to the show courts early in the tournament in my most humble opinion. Some crackers today, but not many on the main courts.
Tim Miller
Editor
GAME GAVRILOVA Gavrilova 3-0 Falconi Nine straight games for Dasha, and a second break in the set. Strong groundstrokes from both players, but Gavrilova cracks first as she sends a forehand long. 15-0 Falconi coming up to the net more often now, she does well on a low volley to go wide of Gavrilova, she can lob but not much else and Falconi gently nudges a winner into the open court. 30-0 Falconi again errs with a lack of height, sending a forehand into the net. 30-15 Again the American nets a simple forehand, and Gavrilova's back in the game. 30-30 Luck for Gavrilova! And again the American has none. A low backhand hits the top of the tape, lobs up, and finds the American's court! Happened twice earlier to Falconi, and twice she had no luck with it. 30-40 And it costs her in the end, a short second serve is given the treatment by Dasha as she hammers a backhand winner down the line.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Early night for the RLA staff - while a ground pass to the first week is the first best value ticket in sport, I often think the night sessions of the early rounds must be close to the worst value. Dasha looking really good here.
Tim Miller
Editor
GAME GAVRILOVA Gavrilova 2-0 Falconi Gavrilova consolidates the break. Third double fault from Gavrilova, but her first since the third game of the match. 0-15 Good striking from Dasha forces the stretched lob, the Aussies steps up to the net and powers an inside-out smash into open court. 15-15 Gavrilova again goes deep on her groundstrokes, but Falconi's up to the challenge and sends a wide return back that Gavrilova can only return long. 15-30 A second serve from Dasha, but Falconi can't make the most of it as she sends a backhand long. 30-30 A good serve sets Gavrilova up, Falconi sent well wide and can only lob back, Dasha steps in again and powers a smash into the open court. 40-30 Gavrilova can't consolidate just yet, she puts too much power into a half-volleyed forehand and it goes long. 40-40 Wide second serve from Gavrilova and Falconi's forehand goes wide. Gavrilova looks a little frustrated about something; she might be looking for her father and brother, who have mysteriously disappeared from the players' box. AD-40 Too good from Dasha, she gets another forehand from Falconi that sits up and she catches her opponent wrong-footed with a powerful inside-out forehand that Falconi can only watch go by.
Tim Miller
Editor
Seven straight for Dasha now, and up a break already in the second set. She's looking bound for the second round.
Tim Miller
Editor
GAME GAVRILOVA Gavrilova 1 Falconi 0 Gavrilova picks up just where she left off in the first set, a return sits up nicely for the Gavrilova backhand and she absolutely pummels a backhand winner down the line. 15-40 Falconi looks to come up to the net after forcing Gavrilova deep with a slice, Dasha opts for a slice in return rather than an attempted pass, and as a result, Falconi is able to put the return away comfortably. 30-40 Gavrilova can't do anything about a superb shot down the line from the American to bring it to deuce. 40-40 Break points again from Gavrilova as a cross-court forehand into open court is too good for the American. 40-AD And she takes the break in the first game of the second set, and a seventh straight game, as Falconi sends a forehand into the net.
Tim Miller
Editor
After being broken in the first game, the rest of the set belonged to Daria Gavrilova, winning six straight games as she cruised to takes the first set over American qualifier Irina Falconi. A near-perfect set from the popular Aussie; very few mistakes, plenty of power in her groundstrokes and some finesse at the net as well. She was always looking to get Falconi well behind the baseline with some deep forehands, and it was a tactic that worked well as Falconi was often unable to handle the fire coming at her from the other side of the net, sending balls regularly long or into the net.
Tim Miller
Editor
GAME, FIRST SET GAVRILOVA Gavrilova 6-1 Falconi Dasha takes the first set in a canter! The crowd applaud as Gavrilova rockets a winner down the line. Three points away from the opening set. 15-0 Some heavy groundstrokes from both players before Gavrilova tries for a drop shot, but Falconi is onto it like a flash, gets there with ease, and fires away the cross-court pass. Can that kick-start a comeback? 15-15 Brilliant! A touch of luck, but still amazing reflexes. Gavrilova comes up to the net, but Falconi fires in the low return and she can only lob a volley up, Falconi fires the cross-court backhander but Gavrilova somehow gets some racquet onto it, and it lobs just inside the line for a winner! 30-15 And now an unreturnable first serve down the T from Dasha brings up set point. 40-15 And she takes it on the first go as they trade heavy hits, before Falconi sends an inside-out forehand wide!
Tim Miller
Editor
GAME GAVRILOVA Falconi 1-5 Gavrilova Dasha breaks again! The pair slug it out from the baseline before Gavrilova goes a little harder and a little deeper (I heard it myself, don't say it), and Falconi's stretched return finds the net. 0-15 Gavrilova makes a rare error as a swinging return lands wide. Just couldn't bring it back enough. 15-15 Falconi goes for a body serve and catches Dasha by surprise, she sends a cramped forehand back but it lands just wide. 30-15 A few errors creeping into Falconi's game now, an innocuous return from Gavrilova is sent meekly into the net. 30-30 Falconi has Gavrilova on the hop with some wide groundstrokes, but Gavrilova hares around and defends well, and eventually the American tries to do too much and sends a cross-court forehand wide. Break points. 30-40 And another break, three in a row for Dasha, as Falconi comes up to the net too soon, Gavrilova forces the weak volley, and she passes with ease!
Tim Miller
Editor
After a nervy start, Gavrilova has really come into her own here. She's making very few errors, her power game is right on and she's looking a class above Falconi.
Tim Miller
Editor
GAME GAVRILOVA Falconi 1-4 Gavrilova Dasha consolidates the break, and makes it four games in a row. Gavrilova sends a shanked return wide and long, and looks cross. 0-15 Falconi goes deep with a couple of groundstrokes, but Gavrilova isn't perturbed as she returns in kind, and the American eventually goes long with a forehand. 15-15 Gavrilova goes down the T on the second serve, Falconi lunges but her lobbed backhand sails wide. 30-15 Fantastic second serve right on the line, but Falconi is up to it as she returns well, but Gavrilova eventually forces the lob, her smash is returned by Falconi but it hits the net, lobs up, and for the second time tonight, lands just inside the American's own court! 40-15 And Gavrilova takes her fourth straight game with a strong serve and a punishing winner into open court.