For the most part the First Round of the 2013 Australian Open followed suit with what was expected, but there were a few curveballs thrown our way just as there always is in the first round of a major.
While a very high number of seeds advanced (27 of 32) there were a few big names such as the number 11 seed Juan Monaco and the number 18 seed Alexandr Dolgopolov were both knocked off. Monaco was taken down in shocking straight set fashion by Andrey Kuznetsov 7-6(3), 6-1, 6-1. Dolgopolov on the other hand had to face a much tougher opponent in veteran Gael Monfils who is coming back from an injury riddled 2012. Monfils took the match in four sets, 6-7(7), 7-6(4), 6-3, 6-3.
The Americans in action actually fared pretty well in round one with five of the eight advancing and the only losses came to seeded players.
Even though it occurred in a loss, perhaps the most impressive American performance was by Steve Johnson, the two time defending NCAA singles champion from USC who pushed tenth seeded Nicolas Almagro to five sets before Almagro pushed on 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-2. It was a very impressive performance by Johnson, who showed the confidence to hit the big shots on big points and with some tinkering to his backhand, this guy has a real chance to be a top 50 player very soon.
Ryan Harrison pulled through in four sets over Santiago Giraldo of Columbia and will be treated to a second round matchup with world number one Novak Djokovic. While Harrison is obviously a massive underdog this could be a good measuring stick for himself to see where he is against the top guys.
So far the Australian Open has gone as expected but anyone who follows tennis knows that never lasts for more than a few days at a major.
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