A spectator holds up a placard during the women's singles match between Germany's Angelique Kerber and Slovenia's Polona Hercog on day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 14, 2019. AFP / William West
Five-time finalist Andy Murray fell in a five-set thriller against Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut in the opening round of the Australian Open on Monday, while top contenders Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal recorded comfortable victories.
Struggling with a chronic hip injury, three-time Grand Slam champion Murray had the Melbourne crowd roaring when he came back from two sets down before losing 6-4 6-4 6-7(5) 6-7(4) 6-2 in just over four hours.
"If this was my last match, it was an amazing way to end," the 31-year-old Scot said. "I gave everything I had -- it wasn't enough tonight."
In an emotional news conference on Friday, Murray said the Australian Open could be his last tournament but after the match he left ajar the door for a return next year.
"If I want to go again, I'll need to have a big operation, which there's no guarantee I'll be able to come back from anyway, but I'll give it my best shot," he added.
Defending champion Federer cruised into the second round with a 6-3 6-4 6-4 win over Uzbek Denis Istomin.
Nadal, 17 times a Grand Slam winner, powered past local hope James Duckworth 6-4 6-3 7-5 to kickstart his campaign.
American John Isner became the first top-10 player to bite the dust when he was stunned by compatriot Reilly Opelka 7-6(4) 7-6(6) 6-7(4) 7-6(5).
The victory was world number 97 Opelka's first in the main draw of a Grand Slam.
In the women's draw, Caroline Wozniacki started her title defence with a 6-3 6-4 victory against Belgian Alison van Uytvanck.
World number two Angelique Kerber moved into the second round with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Slovenia's Polona Hercog, while Maria Sharapova raced past British qualifier Harriet Dart in a 6-0 6-0 win.
