The much needed rain Down Under disrupted a few matches but overall things went smoothly on the opening day of this decade’s opening slam. The big names too remained largely untroubled.
Defending champion Naomi Osaka looked good in her first round victory and there were easy wins for Serena, Kvitova and the soon-to-be-departing Wozniacki. World number one local gal Ash Barty and Sloane Stephens were taken the distance before prevailing. The big story – if not the biggest shock – on the women’s side saw Coco Gauff repeat her SW19 heroics and dismiss Venus Williams in straight sets.
The men’s competition did see a sizeable shock in the first round exit of Denis Shapovalov to the capable journeyman Fucsovics. It was a bad tempered loss by the Canadian who enjoyed such an excellent 2019. Roger Federer looked sharp in his quicktime victory over Steve Johnson, Tsitsipas, Kohlschreiber and Berretini all won in straight sets as did Sam Querrey, downing 25th seed Coric. Novak Djokovic dropped a set and Kyle Edmund ensured he nabbed the British Media headlines winning a five set thriller.
Day 2 matches to look out for
Mladenovic Vs Pliskova
Vekic Vs Sharapova
Medvedev Vs Tiafoe
Goffin Vs Chardy
Gulbis Vs Auger-Aliassime
Suarez-Navarro Vs Sabalenka
All Things Tennis 