Djokovic, Serena hot to trot on day one in steamy Melbourne

“I haven’t played many matches in many weeks, it was great to come out here and start my season”, said Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam victor who could face a rematch against Williams this year but in the quarterfinals.

This Open will bring down the curtain for the former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam victor, who will retire after his 20th appearance at Melbourne Park. “I was able to stay in it and stay calm today and I think that’s what matters most”. “I even tried to play a match”, she said. I enjoyed it very much.

Berdych, the No. 6 seed who has reached the semi-finals at the past two Australian Opens, dispatched Indian Yuki Bhambri 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 with a minimum of fuss. “She’s really good, a talented player”.

Williams broke Giorgi twice in the opening set but could not crack the highest-ranked unseeded player in the draw again until the 11th game of the second set when the Italian double-faulted on game point.

But 36th-ranked Giorgi, a slightly built player packing a meaty forehand, steadied herself to drag Williams into a baseline battle and the American’s screams of frustration underlined the growing tension as the match progressed.

There are however, some young players eager to add Grand Slam titles to their record, such as Milos Raonic – the young Canadian player who decisively defeated Federer 6-4, 6-4 in last week’s final in Brisbane, with the Canadian player owning the match thanks to his impeccable service.

Williams, a 21-time grand slam champion, has had limited match practice due to knee inflammation during the Hopman Cup.

It was an easier opening in the men’s draw for holder Novak Djokovic as the Serbian brushed aside the challenge of South Korea’s Hyeon Chung, winning 6-3 6-2 6-4.

Following a dominant 2015, the world number one is gunning for a seventh Australian crown adamant that she is over the knee problems that hindered her during the latter half of the year and during her Melbourne Park build-up.

Bouchard is playing in only her fourth tournament since sustaining a concussion when she fell in the dressing room at last year’s U.S. Open.

Williams won the previous three major titles in 2015 starting at the Australian Open one year ago when she beat Maria Sharapova in the final for her sixth singles title Down Under.

“I just needed that time to just recover the best of my ability and get really fit, you know, and really train and get ready for the season”. Kvitova took a three-set loss against Kumkhum in the first round here in 2014.

Wozniacki, seeded 16th, lost 1-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 to Kazakhstan’s world No76 Yulia Putintseva, while USA’s Stephens was beaten 6-3, 6-3 by Chinese qualifier Qiang Wang.