Australian Chris O'Connell's grueling four-hour win over world number 88 Cristian Garin was a thrilling encounter for those lucky enough to get to Court 3 to watch the colorful encounter.
The brave Australian fought back twice, after losing the first and third sets, sending the match to the decisive fifth set. Only fans are left wondering how to watch it.
The first part of the match was broadcast on Channel 9, before being switched to a secondary channel to accommodate the 6pm news.
However, once tennis coverage returned after the news, the focus was on previewing Novak Djokovic's clash with rising star Dino Prizmic – while Australian Jason Kuebler, who lost in five sets in his first-round saga, was given priority over O'Connell. On the backup channel.
Which meant many fans missed the match as O'Connell kicked off his open campaign with a thrilling fight in the fifth set to win 3-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5.
Viewers trying to watch the end of the match had to stream it on either 9Now or subscription service Stan Sport, but fans expressed their anger on social media.
“Channel 9 waits until Chris O'Connell gets to the fifth set, then makes him disappear. Just imagine how these idiots will slaughter the Olympics,” Albie Bates wrote on Twitter.
O'Connell will next face the winner of 16th seed Ben Shelton and Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut, who will play later on Monday.
8.30am: Analysis of actions for the rest of the second day
US Open champion and fourth seed Coco Gauff begins the day's action on Center Court, having just defended her Auckland Classic title in the lead-up.
The 19-year-old American will face Slovakian Ana Karolina Schmiedlova and will be followed on court by seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, whose task has become much easier after his opponent Matteo Berrettini withdrew with a foot injury on Sunday.
Tsitsipas, who qualified for the final last year but was no match for the dominant Novak Djokovic, was scheduled to meet the former world No.6 Italian but will now face Belgian loser Zizo Burgess.
In another special match, the dangerous Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime will compete with Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, at Margaret Court Arena.
It is possible that the winner of that match will face Daniil Medvedev in the third round, if the Russian defeats French qualifier Terence Atman.
Medvedev, who reached the Melbourne final in 2021 and 2022, pledged to be “more mature” this year and get rid of the tantrums that are a hallmark of his game.
He said: “I hope I can achieve that this season, and we will see a new Daniil Medvedev.”
Other players participating on day two include five-time Australian Open finalist Andy Murray, Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, and women's sixth seed Ons Jabeur.
8.00am – Osaka's comeback headlines on day two
Naomi Osaka returns to Grand Slam tennis action on day two of the Australian Open on Monday.
New mother Osaka, 26, stepped away from the sport in September 2022, due to mental health concerns.
After giving birth to her daughter, Shay, last July, the Japanese star decided to return for the 2024 season, but she has a big first hurdle to overcome, French 16th seed Caroline Garcia.
The team will be at Rod Laver Arena in the evening session, after Australian Alex de Minaur, seeded tenth, faces Canadian veteran Milos Raonic.
“I have a more positive mindset and a more grateful mindset,” Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, said of her return to Melbourne, the scene of her title successes in 2019 and 2021.
“So excited to be back. It's been really fun so far.”
Originally published as Australian Open 2024, day 2: Latest news, scores and highlights from Melbourne Park
