Round 1 Shows Return Of Healthy, Dominant Serena Williams

“Every time I go back to Rod Laver Arena, I have these memories come back to me from the first win back in 2008, of course, some of the epic matches I’ve played on that court”.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga went to the aid of a ball girl in his match, gently helping her off the court in the third set when she became ill before finishing off a 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 win over Omar Jasika.

No. 12 seed Marin Cilic from Croatia overcame a slow start to down Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 6-2 6-4.

That looks less likely to be the case with Djokovic, who opens his campaign to match Roy Emerson’s record tally of six men’s singles titles against South Korea’s Chung Hyeon. But I’m not entitled to really talk about it. I can give my opinion.

On the pristine blue showcourt only a few metres away, however, first Williams, then Djokovic gave notice that they had no intention of relinquishing lightly the dominance they exerted over tennis a year ago.

Williams, like Djokovic, won three of the four major titles last season, but hadn’t finished a competitive match for months.

Williams said she needed the break to recharge at the end of last season and felt OK about her limited preparation.

It was very much business as usual for Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams at the Australian Open, even if allegations of widespread match-fixing cast a shadow over the opening day of the year’s first grand slam.

“I’m very pleased with how I played today, how I handled the nerves and everything”, Kvitova said.

“I have been going non-stop since the London Olympics and, seeing that this is another Olympic year, I kind of wanted to start the year out really fresh and really go at it again as hard as I can”.

After the match, Williams said she was confident throughout that she would win.

“It’s tough, but at the same time, I know I did everything that I can to be ready for it”, Nadal said.

Williams was back in full fitness in time for the tournament and, despite not being at her fluent best, she defeated Italian Camila Giorgi 6-4 7-5 in a tense battle between the pair.

On Tuesday, No. 8-seeded Williams trudged off Rod Laver Arena after her surprising 6-4, 6-3 loss to Johanna Konta, a British player making her debut in the Grand Slam’s main draw.

With 128 players playing on the courts around Melbourne Park, there were bound to be upsets, on grounds of reputation if not current standing.

Last year, the world No. 1 won titles at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open.

“But I really love the way I have life right now because I will put a lot of teaching time for my baby”.

Japanese star Nishikori powered past Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 to set up a second-round clash with long-time friend and training partner Austin Krajicek from the United States. “I think I got broken once, but other than that, I was able to stay focused on that part”, Williams said.

On the men’s side, No. 13 Milos Raonic followed up his win over Roger Federer in the final of the Brisbane International tune-up event with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over Lucas Pouille, No. 18 Feliciano Lopez beat Daniel Evans 6-1, 6-0, 6-4 and No. 32 Joao Sousa beat Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.