The first Grand Slam event of the year is underway, and tennis fans will immediately get a glimpse of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in Day 1 of the 2016 Australian Open on Monday.
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Having to play somebody for the first time, especially somebody that is as young as him, he’s only 19, it can be tricky.
In a midriff-baring yellow outfit, Williams was made to work for her victory by Italian Camila Giorgi but she finally prevailed 6-4 7-5.
World number one Novak Djokovic is a red hot favourite to overcome all opponents and clinch another Australian Open title this year, although extreme temperatures will be a wild card the Serb has to watch out for.
All eyes are on the Serbian world number one and his bid for a calendar-year Grand Slam after he fell just short during his brilliant 2015 season.
Giorgi managed to stay with Williams until the 11th game in the second set, but the latter broke thanks to a double fault before closing out her win.
It was the first meeting between the pair and Hibino was at a loss on how to handle Sharapova’s powerful groundstrokes and pinpoint service game.
Both players said they’ve recovered from their respective ailments and are ready to go, Williams as the second match on the main Rod Laver Arena, Sharapova to open the night program at Margaret Court Arena.
Kvitova took a three-set loss against Kumkhum in the first round here in 2014.
After the win, Williams said “it was a tough, hard-hitting match from the first shot”. “It was an hour and 43 minutes and I didn’t feel it at all”, Williams told reporters. “The memories from two years ago were a little bit hard”.
Federer, who has won four Australian titles among his 17 majors, opens against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia, and possibly Alexandr Dolgopolov in the second and No. 27 Grigor Dimitrov in the third.
Djokovic is coming off an easy win at the Qatar Open in Doha earlier this month, where he dominated the competition, including a 6-1 6-2 final-round mauling of career rival Rafael Nadal.
If Djokovic goes on to claim the title here in 13 days’ time, he would equal Roy Emerson’s record of six Australian Open titles.
Serena Williams of the USA in action against Camila Giorgi of Italy during their first round match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 18 January 2016.
Williams was certainly not at her barnstorming best in Rod Laver Arena but, after a long winter break, the top seed believes the extra rest stands her in good stead as she chases a 22nd grand slam title. But there’s no real proof or evidence yet of any active players.
Kohlschreiber, ranked No. 34, was the highest ranked of the men’s players who were unseeded at the tournament. Dominic Thiem and No. 26 Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.
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Kermode said tennis authorities “absolutely reject any suggestion that evidence of match-fixing has been suppressed for any reason, or isn’t being investigated”.
