Stefanos Tsitsipas is becoming accustomed to making history and now, after defeating Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in his opening match at Tokyo 2020, the Greek – fittingly – can lay claim to an Olympic milestone also.

Athens-born Tsitsipas dispatched Kohlschreiber 6-3 3-6 6-3 in the day’s final match on Centre Court and in the process became the first man from Greece to win an Olympic singles match since Augustos Zerlandis at the Paris Games in 1924.

“Stats are important,” said Tsitsipas. “It’s a good thing to know that this happened. I’m a person that’s optimistic and I’m a person that wants more. It is an honour. It’s a big move for Greece. It’s a big move for this sport in Greece as well and there’s joy in doing that.”

By overpowering Kohlschreiber, Tsitsipas, who reached the Roland Garros final in June, set up a second-round showdown with Frances Tiafoe of the United States, who accounted for Kwon Soon-woo in his opening bout of the competition.

Tiafoe and Tsitsipas have previous, with the former beating the latter in the first round at Wimbledon earlier this month. However, Tsitsipas has warned his opponent that a different proposition lies in wait here in Tokyo.

“I’ve learned my lessons,” added the 22-year-old. “I try and move on better this time. He’s an opponent around my age group and we’re kind of building a rivalry. I’m going to have to raise my level this time.”

Elsewhere, while the opening day of the Olympic Tennis Event largely stayed true to the script and formbook, day two gave rise to a seismic shock as world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty crashed out of the women’s singles.

Fresh from claiming her second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, Barty failed to hit such heights and cut a frustrated figure during a 6-4 6-3 first-round loss to world No. 48 Sara Sorribes Tormo of Spain. Indeed, it was an error-strewn showing by the Australian who chalked up 55 unforced errors.

For Sorribes Tormo, however, it was an Olympic debut to savour, and she now faces France’s Fiona Ferro following her 6-2 6-4 first-round victory against Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia.

“It was incredible, I don’t know what to say, I have goosebumps. It’s amazing,” said Sorribes Tormo in the aftermath of her win on Centre Court at Ariake Tennis Park.

“It’s the best victory in my career, for sure, because of the place, for who she is, because of what the Olympics means to me and because of playing for Spain.”

Barty, meanwhile, was left to reflect on what might have been, while her hopes of Olympic gold now switch to the doubles, with her and Storm Sanders set to contest their second-round match tomorrow.

“I’ve always enjoyed doubles and have loved the chance to play with Storm here in Tokyo,” said Barty. “She’s a quality person and makes the most of every opportunity she’s given. I’m excited to get back out there with Storm and keep fighting for that gold medal.

“Despite defeat it’s incredible to be part of the Australian Olympic Team. The Olympics experience is definitely different to other years but the opportunity to represent my country alongside the best athletes in the world is special.

“I’ve loved the chance to catch up with other Aussie athletes like Sam Kerr, Patty Mills and Steph Gilmore. Australia has got a pretty incredible team and I’m honoured to be part of it.”

There were no such blips for No. 2 seed Naomi Osaka as she cruised into round two after defeating China’s Zheng Saisai 6-1 6-4. Next up for Osaka is Switzerland’s Viktorija Golubic, who was the first player to record a win at Tokyo 2020 after dispatching Colombia’s Maria Camila Osorio Serrano on Saturday.

The reigning Australian and US Open champion was making her first competitive appearance on court in almost two months, and having lit the Olympic cauldron on Friday, it was something of a relief to start her quest for gold in such a positive manner.

“I felt really nervous being in Japan, and playing here for the first time in maybe two years, and for it to be my first Olympics,” she said. “It was definitely really nerve-wracking. But I am glad I was able to win.”

On a day when temperatures reached 32 degrees and the ITF activated its extreme weather policy, No. 3 seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus also safely negotiated her opening match against Poland’s Magda Linette, prevailing 6-2 6-1.

Likewise, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, the fourth seed, made a winning start to her Olympic campaign as she defeated Germany’s Laura Siegemund 6-3 5-7 6-4 in a match which lasted three hours and six minutes. Ajla Tomljanovic will be her next opponent.

Svitolina, meanwhile, who last week married fellow tennis star Gael Monfils, has previously spoken of her pride at representing Ukraine in team competition and that message was reinforced once more.

“The Olympics in Ukraine means, I think, even more than the Grand Slams, so I know how special it is,” she said. “I love to play for my country, I love to represent blue and yellow, so it’s a very special feeling when I put my kit on and play for Ukraine.

“Billie Jean King Cup or Olympics, it’s something you can’t take for granted. We play almost every week at normal tournaments, but it’s very special here. I’m trying to do my best and give it my all.”

Elsewhere, Wimbledon finalist Karolina Pliskova, who is seeded No. 5 here, dispensed with Alize Cornet of France 6-1 6-3 to set up a second-round clash with Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain.

By defeating Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur 6-4 6-1, Suarez Navarro recorded her first singles victory since recovering from cancer, having been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma shortly before last year’s US Open.

There was also a victorious start for Spain’s No. 7 seed Garbine Muguruza, who overcame Veronika Kudermetova.

In the men’s draw, two-time Olympic singles champion Andy Murray announced his decision to withdraw from the singles event due to a right quad muscle strain.

“I am really disappointed at having to withdraw but the medical staff have advised me against playing in both events, so I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the singles and focus on playing doubles with Joe [Salisbury],” said Murray via a statement.

Murray was replaced in the singles draw by Australia’s Max Purcell and the world No. 190 made the most of his unexpected opportunity by dispatching Wimbledon quarter-finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada.

Elsewhere, while there was success for No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev against Yen-hsun Lu, ROC’s Andrey Rublev, who is the fifth seed, crashed out after being ousted by home favourite Kei Nishikori.

Meanwhile, Wimbledon semi-finalist Hubert Hurkacz and Diego Schwartzman of Argentina both progressed, although there was no such joy for Monfils, who succumbed in three sets to Ilya Ivashka.