Lebanese qualifier Hady Habib achieved a historic milestone for his war-torn nation by defeating China’s Bu Yunchaokete with scores of 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 7-6 (8-6). This victory marks a significant achievement as he becomes the first player from Lebanon to win a men’s singles main draw match at a Grand Slam in the professional era. The atmosphere was vibrant as the crowd on Melbourne Park’s Court 13 erupted with cheers, reflecting the unwavering support for Habib, who symbolizes hope for a country facing great adversity.
After securing his win, the 26-year-old proudly raised his racket toward the enthusiastic crowd while waving a Lebanese flag—an embodiment of national pride during challenging times. His fans passionately chanted his name, creating an inspiring backdrop for what has been a historic moment for Lebanon amidst recent turmoil. More than a million people were displaced following Israel’s invasion in October, stemming from escalating tensions linked to the Gaza conflict. Despite these hardships, Habib’s success serves as a beacon of resilience for his country.
Prior to this victory, Habib represented Lebanon at the Paris Olympics and made headlines last year by becoming the first Lebanese player to win an event on the second-tier ATP Challenger Tour in Chile. Looking ahead, he is set to face 14th seed Ugo Humbert on Wednesday, with many eagerly watching to see how he progresses.
In men’s singles action, sixth seed Casper Ruud managed to escape a significant scare, avoiding an early exit at a Grand Slam for the first time since Wimbledon four years ago. The Norwegian showcased remarkable resolve in his match against Spaniard Jaume Munar, fighting back after being pegged back twice, ultimately clinching the match with scores of 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. Adding to the personal significance of his victory, Ruud’s fiancée, Maria Galligani, was present to cheer him on.
During a post-match interview, a light-hearted moment occurred when Ruud was asked whether he felt more nervous competing against Rafael Nadal in the French Open final or when proposing to his girlfriend. His evident discomfort while answering brought some laughter from the audience.
Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori also staged a remarkable comeback, recovering from a two-set deficit to defeat Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro with scores of 4-6, 6-7 (7-4), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3. At 35 years old, the former US Open finalist demonstrated extraordinary resolve, saving two match points in the third set, and extending his impressive five-set record to 29 wins out of 37 matches. Despite facing injury challenges in recent seasons, his performance proved he still has what it takes on the big stage.
Second seed Alexander Zverev exhibited dominance as he smoothly dispatched Frenchman Lucas Pouille with a straight-sets victory of 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Zverev’s impressive win marked his 26th at the Australian Open, matching Tommy Haas for the second-most wins by a German in the tournament’s Open Era, trailing only Boris Becker who holds the record with 29. The German’s prowess on the court continues to draw attention as fans look forward to his journey throughout the competition.
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