Djokovic, Serena merciless in Aus Open first round
The two cruise into 2nd round with straight-sets wins
MELBOURNE: A focused Serena Williams sent an ominous Australian Open warning with a 49-minute first-round demolition on Tuesday as world number one Novak Djokovic destroyed his opponent as he targets a record seventh title.
The American giant is bidding to match Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam crowns on her first return to Melbourne Park since winning in 2017 while eight weeks pregnant.
Now 37, she kept a low profile in the lead-up to the opening major of the year and came out of the blocks flying against fellow mum Tatjana Maria, pummelling her German opponent 6-0, 6-2.
Sporting a striking jade green jumpsuit and fine mesh stockings on Rod Laver Arena, the 16th seed wasted no time in getting out of the blistering Melbourne heat and said it was good to be back.
“The last time I was here I was pregnant and playing at the same time which is insane,” she said. “It’s weird walking back on -- by myself this time -- it feels good. I have so many memories from last time I was here.”
Bidding for an eighth Melbourne Park crown, few are betting against Williams despite her lowly seeding and she next faces Canadian Eugenie Bouchard who eased past China’s Peng Shuai. Williams played at the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth this month, but her appearance on Tuesday was her first outing on tour since a meltdown in losing the US Open final to Naomi Osaka in September.
Like Williams, Djokovic is also gunning for a slice of history as he looks to win a seventh title. Fellow six-time champion Roger Federer is aiming for the same.
The Serb blasted past American qualifier Mitchell Krueger 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 and next plays Jo-wilfried Tsonga, who he beat in Melbourne to win the first of his 14 Grand Slam crowns back in 2008. “I was playing him for the first time and I didn’t know what to expect,” the top seed said of Krueger. “He was very competitive and I had to work hard for the win. I enjoyed it.”
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev, who is looking to win his first Slam title and establish himself as a threat to Djokovic, Federer and Rafael Nadal, cruised past Aljaz Bedene 6-4, 6-1, 6-4. Venus Williams (USA) def. Mihaela Buzarnescu (ROMX25)
6-7 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-2.
Carla Suarez-navarro (ESPX23) def. Clara Burel (FRA) 7-5, 6-2.
Serena Williams (USAX16) def. Tatjana Maria (GER) 6-0, 6-2.
Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) def. Daria Kasatkina (RUSX10) 6-3, 6-0.
Garbine Muguruza (ESPX18) def. Saisai Zheng (CHN) 6-2, 6-3.
Karolina Pliskova
(CZEX7) def. Karolina Muchova (CZE)
6-3, 6-2.
Elise Mertens (BELX12) def. Anna-karolina Schmiedlova (SVK) 6-2, 7-5.
Elina Svitolina (UKRX6) def. Viktorija Golubic (SUI) 6-1, 6-2.