Australian Open: Iga Swiatek, the world’s top player, escaped German opponent Jule Niemeier’s intense inspection in her opening match at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Niemeier surprised everyone by reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon last summer and defeated Swiatek in the fourth round of the US Open in one set.
On Rod Laver Arena, there wasn’t much to pick between the two players. Niemeier served for the second set, but Swiatek fought back to win 6-4, 7-5.
In just an hour at Margaret Court Arena, the in-form American Jessica Pegula defeated Jaqueline Cristian 6-0, 6-1, and advanced directly to the second round.
The Romanian was easily defeated by the third seed in less than an hour on the court.
“Everything seems to be functioning today, so I guess you just have to embrace the days as they come throughout the year,” Pegula added.
“Coming in as the top seed is undoubtedly enjoyable for me because it’s a fresh experience.”
Just happy to be here. peep the #3 @BuffaloBills @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/psuZQVKAP2
— Jessie Pegula (@JLPegula) January 16, 2023
Pegula, whose parents own the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League, scrawled “Go Bills! #3” with a heart to honour the team’s safety Damar Hamlin, who had a cardiac attack earlier this month while playing for the Bills.
Amanda Anisimova, a fellow countrywoman, was eliminated in the opening round after falling to Marta Kostyuk, a 20-year-old Ukrainian, 6-3, 6-4.
Anisimova left in tears after losing in the first round of a Grand Slam for the second time in a row.
Maria Sakkari, the sixth-seeded Greek, defeated China’s Yuan Yue with ease, 6-1, 6-4, to advance to a match against Russian qualifier Diana Shnaider.
Petra Kvitova, who finished second in 2019, started her campaign by defeating difficult opponent Alison Van Uytvanck 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.
Victoria Azarenka defeated Sofia Kenin in the opening round with a score of 6-4 7-6 (7-3), ensuring that she would be the only past Australian Open champion still in the women’s tournament.
She stated, “We work hard every day. Blood, sweat, and tears are shed during the off-season so that we can perform at our highest level during the season. I’m still anxious because of the strain.”
Behind the scenes…I couldn’t do it without my team ❤️ #ausopen pic.twitter.com/acyDKNGlUM
— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) January 16, 2023
Danielle Collins, the runner-up from last year, struggled in her first-round match against Anna Kalinskaya but eventually prevailed 7-5 5-7 6-4 after hitting 55 winners past the Russian.
British wildcard At a boisterous Court 8, Olivia Gadecki defeated Polina Kudermetova 7-5, 6-1 to win her first Grand Slam match.
Ashleigh Barty, a former world No. 1 and retired Australian Open champion, is Gadecki’s coach.
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