Windy day welcomed by Watson

Heather Watson battled her way into the second round of the Australian Open with a 4-6 6-3 6-1 win over Kristyna Pliskova.

“I don’t mind the wind at all. I like it and the way I play – slice, drop shots, and change of pace balls – I think it works well in the wind, and I’m patient,” she said.

Coco Gauff will have another shot at defending champion Naomi Osaka after battling past Sorana Cirstea.

The pair met at the same third-round stage of the US Open last summer, when Osaka produced a complete performance to beat the 15-year-old 6-3 6-0 and then consoled her when Gauff’s disappointment got the better of her.

The teenager has now made at least the last 32 on all three of her senior slam appearances, and her star quality was again on show as she recovered from 0-3 in the deciding set to beat Romanian Cirstea 4-6 6-3 7-5.

Osaka has won both her matches in straight sets but was frustrated by the windy conditions during a 6-2 6-4 victory over Zheng Saisai.

The third seed slammed her racket to the court, saying later with a smile: “My racket just magically flew out of my hand. I couldn’t control it.”

Serena Williams had a few difficult moments in the second set of her clash with Tamara Zidansek but fought off break points at 2-3 before pulling away to win 6-2 6-3.

Caroline Wozniacki kept retirement at bay for another day with a compelling fightback to defeat hotly-tipped 23rd seed Dayana Yastremska.

The Dane’s 7-5 7-5 success, having been 5-1 down in the opening set and 3-0 in the second, was a fitting showcase for the attributes that have kept her at the top of the game for the last decade and more.

Top seed and great Australian hope Ashleigh Barty defeated Polona Hercog 6-1 6-4.

Barty next takes on 29th seed Elena Rybakina.

Petra Kvitova, who lost to Osaka in the final last year, battled to a 7-5 7-5 victory over Paula Badosa, but 11th seed Aryna Sabalenka was beaten 7-6 (6) 7-6 (6) by Carla Suarez Navarro and Julia Goerges knocked out 13th seed Petra Martic.