History chasers
Djokovic, Serena lay it on the line
A focused Serena Williams sent an ominous Australian Open warning with a 49-minute firstround demolition on Tuesday while world No 1 Novak Djokovic destroyed his opponent as he targets a record seventh title.
US Open champion Naomi Osaka also stormed through, but world number one Simona Halep was lucky to stay alive, needing to dig deep and claw back from a set down before beating Kaia Kanepi 6-7 (2/7) 6-4 6-2.
Williams is bidding to match Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam crowns on her return to Melbourne Park since winning in 2017 while eight weeks’ pregnant.
Now 37, the American 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 jadegreen 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.”
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, but her appearance on Tuesday was her first outing on tour since a meltdown in losing the US Open final to Osaka in September.
Japan’s Osaka, seeded four, wasted little time in dispatching Poland’s Magda Linette 6-4 6-2 and will next play Tamara Zidansek of Slovakia.
Djokovic is also gunning for a slice of history as he looks to win a seventh title. Fellow sixtime champion Roger Federer is aiming for the same.
The Serb blasted past American qualifier Mitchell Krueger 6-3 6-2 6-2 to set up a clash with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who he beat in Melbourne to win the first of his 14 Grand Slam crowns back in 2008.
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev, who is looking to win his first Slam title, cruised past Aljaz Bedene 6-4 6-1 6-4.
But eighth seed Kei Nishikori, who won in Brisbane last week, had a lucky escape.
The Japanese star looked down and out against littleknown qualifier Kamil Majchrzak, losing the first two sets before the Pole began cramping badly.
He bravely fought on before calling it a day after winning just two of the next 17 games.
Elsewhere, 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka benefited as Ernests Gulbis called it quits after hurting his back in the second set.
Among the women, sixth seed Elina Svitolina easily progressed, as did Williams’s sister Venus, but two-time champion Victoria Azarenka was bundled out, along with 10th seed Darya Kasatkina.
Seventh seed Karolina Pliskova went through, as did Madison Keys. –