MELBOURNE, ‌Jan 20 (Reuters) - Double defending champion ‌Jannik Sinner advanced to the second ‌round of the Australian Open on Tuesday in just over an hour of tennis after ‍his French opponent Hugo Gaston ‍retired upon losing ‌the first two sets 6-2 6-1.

In his ‍first ​official match since beating Carlos Alcaraz for the ATP ⁠Finals crown, the Italian world number two ‌was in ominous form on the Rod ⁠Laver Arena ‍court he has ruled for two years before the match was cut short.