Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner successfully advanced to the second round of the Australian Open 2026 on Tuesday, January 20, after his first-round opponent, Hugo Gaston of France, was forced to retire due to illness. The match, played at Rod Laver Arena, saw Sinner in dominant form, leading 6-2, 6-1, before Gaston, who had called for a doctor after the first set, could no longer continue. Sinner, the two-time defending champion, expressed that a win by retirement is "not a way you want to win the match" but acknowledged his strong performance. He had faced some early pressure, including a 0/40 deficit in the opening game, but quickly recovered to assert his authority, showcasing the form that makes him a top favorite for a third consecutive title. This quick progression into Round 2 allows Sinner to conserve energy in the early stages of the demanding Grand Slam. The incident was widely reported by credible sports news organizations globally, including ATP Tour, NDTV Sports, Khel Now, and India TV, all confirming the details of the match and Gaston's retirement. Sinner will now prepare to face either lucky loser Dino Prizmic or Australian wild card James Duckworth in the subsequent round. His pursuit of a historic 'three-peat' at the Australian Open, a feat achieved by only a few in the Open Era, has begun smoothly despite the anticlimactic end to his opening match.