Tennis-Sinner beats Van de Zandschulp in Australian Open first round

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) - Fourth seed Jannik Sinner got off to a winning start in his bid to claim his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open as the Italian defeated unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4 7-5 6-3 in the opening round on Sunday.

Sinner, who enjoyed a strong finish to 2023 by reaching the ATP Finals title clash before guiding Italy to a Davis Cup triumph, was slightly off the pace after playing no competitive matches in the build-up to the year's first major.