Tennis-Sinner a Sunday winner, Rublev gets a scare at Australian Open

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 14, 2024 Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates after winning his first round match against Netherlands' Botic Van De Zandschulp REUTERS/Issei Kato

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Jannik Sinner picked up where he left off in 2023 by easing past Botic van de Zandschulp into the second round of the Australian Open as the year's first Grand Slam got underway a day earlier than usual on Sunday.

The Italian fourth seed, the hottest player on the men's tour at the back end of last season with victories over Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev, was quickly back in his groove on Rod Laver Arena.