Halep, Pliskova, Konta, Kerber into second round
Top seed Simona Halep was made work hard for her first-round win at the Australian Open, but Karolina Pliskova, Johanna Konta and Angelique Kerber had an easier time.
World No 1 Halep found herself 5-2 down against 17-year-old Destanee Aiava in the opening set and then rolled her ankle in the set, but she recovered to secure a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 victory.
Australian wildcard Aiava produced a powerful display and dominated early on, but she then required a medical timeout after complaining that she had difficulty breathing.
She had two set points, but Halep fought back and eventually forced a tiebreaker, which she won to claim the opening set in one hour and 13 minutes.
The Romanian then built a 2-0 lead in the second before rolling her ankle and she also required a medical timeout. However, she had no problems seeing out the second set to move safely into the second round.
Simona Halep goes down injured in Melbourne ??
Let’s hope the world number one’s #AusOpen dream isn’t over ?? pic.twitter.com/JtDbzSkSxr
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) January 16, 2018
Sixth seed Pliskova saw off the challenge of Veronica Cepede Royg on Rod Laver Arena, beating the Paraguayan 6-3, 6-4.
The Czech player broke three times in the opening set and then raced into a 5-2 lead before finishing things off.
As cool as you like!
She was made to work for it, but [6] @KaPliskova is through to 2R after a 6-3 6-4 win over Veronica Cepede Royg. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/W6CSCCnUc7
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2018
Great Britain’s No 1 Konta had no problems beating American Madison Brengle as she secured a 6-3, 6-1 victory.
A semi-finalist in 2016, Konta was too strong for world No 90 Brengle as she hit 37 winners in a match that lasted only one hour and six minutes.
The 26-year-old will take on another American in Bernarda Pera in the second round.
Fresh from winning the Sydney International last week, Kerber made it 10 wins in a row as she beat fellow German Anna-Lena Friedsam 6-0, 6-4.
The former world No 1 raced through the opening set in only 18 minutes, but Friedsam put up a bit of a fight in the second set as she fought back from 4-1 down to level things at 4-4.
However, Kerber eventually wrapped the match up in one hour and eight minutes. Next up for the 2016 Australian Open campion is Croatia’s Donna Vekic.
Latest
-
French OpenPaula Badosa hits ground running at Roland Garros while Simona Halep digs herself out of a hole
No problems for Paula Badosa at Roland Garros.
-
French OpenEmotional Jo-Wilfried Tsonga bows out as Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer pay tribute
Farewell Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
-
WimbledonWimbledon news: Benoit Paire slams ‘absurd’ impasse, ‘wants to know if ATP wants to defend players or Russia’
Benoit Paire has lashed out at the ATP over their decision to strip Wimbledon of ranking points.
-
French OpenWATCH: Fuming Andrey Rublev nearly hits court sweeper, smashes water bottle during French Open win
Andrey Rublev’s emotions got the better of him.
-
French OpenEmma Raducanu steps up gym work as she looks to go toe-to-toe with French Open heavyweights
Emma Raducanu faces Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the first match on Court Suzanne-Lenglen on Wednesday.
-
WimbledonKarolina Pliskova still plans to compete at Wimbledon despite ‘bad’ decision to strip tournament of points
Karolina Pliskova is the player with the most points to lose.
-
WimbledonWimbledon news: Dan Evans slams decision to only ask ‘bigger, better players’ for views on thorny issue
“I think we should have been asked,” says Dan Evans.
-
French OpenDaniil Medvedev declares his love for Roland Garros after winning opener, joking ‘it’s Tuesday and I’m still here’
Daniil Medvedev ❤️ Roland Garros.
-
WimbledonRafael Nadal understands both sides of ATP-Wimbledon row
“I respect and I understand Wimbledon’s position,” says Nadal.
-
WimbledonRussian-born player admits ‘I can’t go back to Russia’, but says ‘Wimbledon is still going to be Wimbledon’
Daria Saville not holding back.