Novak Djokovic opens Australian Open defence with easy win

Roger Federer then followed that up with an equally one-sided cruise past Nikoloz Basilashvili.

Serena Williams of the United States hits a forehand return to Camila Giorgi of Italy during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016.

The two dominant players of past year, Djokovic and Williams are no strangers to the heat of the Australian summer, of course, but sweltering conditions might help expose any flaws in their early season form or fitness.

Her knee was hugely talked about in the lead-up, but Serena Williams said it played no part in the first round. “Yay, never too late”, she said.

Wearing a canary yellow pleated skirt and a matching mid-rift bearing shirt, world champion Serena Williams moves freely around the court showing no regards to her knee injury during the Australian Open.

French ninth seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga needed four sets to beat Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, while the shock of the day was caused by American wildcard Noah Rubin, who knocked out 17th seed Benoît Paire. The 16th-seeded Wozniacki was up a service break in the second set.

Konta, who reached the last 16 at the 2015 US Open, is the only British woman left in the singles draw following Heather Watson’s defeat on Monday.

“It’s always great support from Michael”.

“I hope to keep it up as long as I choose to play tennis”, he said.

“Very tough first round”.

American Sloane Stephens, a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park three years ago, had a very bad day at the office and was sent packing by Chinese qualifier Wang Qiang. “I love it every time I come here”.

The reports said that none of the players, who aren’t identified by name, had faced any sanctions and more than half would be playing at this year’s Australian Open.

Kuznetsova, the 23rd seed, beat No. 2-ranked Simona Halep last week en route to winning the Sydney International title. She raised her Grand Slam first-round record to 61-1 with her lone opening-round loss coming to Virginie Razzano at the 2012 Roland Garros.

Britain’s number one, 24, raced to victory in 79 minutes as seven-time Grand Slam champion Williams, her left thigh heavily strapped, struggled.

No. 7 Kei Nishikori was the first of the seeded men’s players to advance, beating Philipp Kohlschreiber, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.

Sharapova’s match on Rod Laver Arena was one of only three that began on schedule – the other two were also in stadiums with covered roofs – after light rain delayed play for just over an hour on outside courts. She reached the quarterfinals at the Australian and U.S. Opens – the first and last majors of the year.

The governing bodies for the sport, and the Tennis Integrity Unit, issued a joint statement, read by ATP chairman Chris Kermode at a hastily-convened news conference at Melbourne Park.

Tournament officials said play would not start on those courts until at least 11:30 a.m. Ball boys and girls were sponging the courts off. Her only stumble came while serving for the match when she was broken by Hibino, but Sharapova broke back in the next game to clinch the match.