Nick Kyrgios lost in his men's singles return at the Brisbane International after 18 months out with wrist and knee injuries, while Novak Djokovic won his first match since mid-October.
Kyrgios lost an epic three-set match to Giovanni Mbeche Pericard 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-3) in a match that lasted two hours and 27 minutes, while Djokovic prevailed with a comfortable 6-3 victory. 6-3 over Rinki Hijikata.
Kyrgios and Djokovic teamed up in the men's doubles on Monday, and the impressive duo defeated Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 10-8. They return to face top seeds Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus on Wednesday.
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Watch the highlights of Novak Djokovic's victory over Rinki Hijikata 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of the Brisbane International.
Kyrgios has doubts for Australian Open | Djokovic is 'excited' by Murray partnership
After his singles defeat, Kyrgios said: “It was a great match, considering I haven't played for 18 months. It was exciting to put myself in a winning position.”
“It was good to get back out there and say I can still play at a level against someone like that who is coming off the best year of his career and just getting better.”
Kyrgios used his protected 21 rating before suffering the injury to participate in the Australian Open, but admitted he is not yet sure whether he will play in Melbourne.
The 29-year-old Australian added: “The question is how much I want to take the trauma to the body and the pain.” “I think I almost need a miracle and I need the stars to line up with my wrist so I can make it to a Grand Slam for sure.
“Today, if this were a Grand Slam, we might still be on the court, and I don't know how I would stop the next day or the day after that. That's kind of the reality that sets in.”
Novak Djokovic won in straight sets in his first match in more than two months
Meanwhile, after his opening win, Djokovic revealed his new coach Andy Murray has been monitoring his progress from the ski slopes during a family holiday before he teams up with his old rival at the Australian Open.
“Sending my love to all the Murray family,” Djokovic said on court after his win over Hijikata. “I hope he doesn't get injured while skating before coming to Melbourne.”
“We spoke before the game, we communicate every day. Obviously I'm excited to have him on my team, in my corner.
“For over 20 years he's been across the net and for the first time ever he's been on the same side of the field, so it should be fun in Melbourne.”
Women's world number one Sabalenka won the opening match in Brisbane in straight sets
In another men's singles match, Frances Tiafoe defeated Australian Adam Walton 7-5 (7-5), 6-3. Sebastian Korda, ranked fifth and ranked 22nd in the world, also withdrew due to a lower back injury.
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Highlights of Aryna Sabalenka's win over Renata Zarazu at the Brisbane International
In the women's tournament, world number one and two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka started her singles campaign in Brisbane with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Renata Zarazua.
After a first-round bye, it took Sabalenka just 63 minutes to reach the third round, showing strong potential for a triple win at Melbourne Park starting January 12.
“The first match is always difficult to know your level of tennis,” Sabalenka said. “I'm happy that I finished the first set and in the second I felt like whatever I was going to do would work.”
Sabalenka will play in the third round with Yulia Putintseva, seeded 15th, after defeating Kesler-McCartney 6-2, 7-5.
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