AUSTRALIAN Aleksandar Vukic opened the Brisbane International ATP 250 event off in the best way possible for home fans when he defeated Belgian David Goffin on Pat Rafter Arena last night. While the WTA 500 event had an array of matches, the men’s tournament which is a smaller event, only had the one night clash on day one as qualifying finished.

Under lights, Vukic made surprisingly light work or Goffin, a former world number seven, to win 6-2 6-3 in just 82 minutes on court. Goffin is currently ranked 53nd in the world, so still ahead of the 68th ranked Vukic, but is past his prime where he matched it with the best in the world not too long ago.

However regardless, Vukic’s performance – their first time meeting – was as convincing as it gets for the 28-year-old. He served 11 aces to Goffin’s three, and won 81 per cent of his first serve points compared to the Belgian’s 51 per cent. That serve proved a problem for his 34-year-old opponent, saving all three break points he faced, while creating five chances himself and breaking three imtes.

“I think I definitely served good when I needed to. There were patches where I wasn’t making enough and getting into slight trouble on my serve and then when I needed to I served well … I thought my performance was very good,” Vukic said post-match.

“It was my first year playing day in, day out at this level, a lot of ups and downs but really very confident going into the new season.”

Vukic looks likely to have a stiff test up next with his Round of 16 opponent likely to be second seed and reigning champion Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian world number 10 takes on German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann for the spot in the second round.

That match takes place this afternoon right after a huge clash between another former Top 10 player in Italian Matteo Berrettini taking on Aussie eighth seed Jordan Thompson. Christopher O’Connell is also about to begin in Brisbane, taking on American Alex Michelsen on Show Court 1.

The most talked about doubles match in some time will ahve all eyes clued to the television, as Aussie firebrand Nick Kyrgios and former world number one Novak Djokovic step on court together from 7:30pm, facing Austrian Alexander Erler and German Andreas Mies.

In other men’s singles matches, third seed Dane Holger Rune up against talent Czech Jiri Lehecka is easily the pick of the outside courts, while sixth seed Alejandro Tabilo takes on French qualifier Benjamin Bonzi and another Chilean in Nicolas Jarry meets fellow South American Mariano Navone.