Barty storms into second round after stuttering start: Gauff bests Venus

Serena, Federer clear first hurdle; Osaka tested

Melbourne: Roger Federer and Serena Williams got off to clinical starts in the opening round of the Australian Open on Monday. While Federer brushed aside Steve Johnson to race into the second round, Serena thrashed Anastasia Potapova.

The 38-year old Federer eased past his rival 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to kickstart his bid for a 21st Grand Slam title in style.

Meanwhile, 13th seed Denis Shapovalov had a big row with the umpire for throwing his racquet in frustration as he lost his opener 6-3, 7-6 (9/7), 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) to Hungarian Marton Fucsovics in a big upset on day one.

In the women's matches, while Serena beat Potapova 6-0, 6-3 in 58 minutes, Naomi Osaka began her Australian Open title defense by dismantling unseeded Czech Marie Bouzkova. The 22-year-old Japanese roared past her rival 6-2, 6-4 in 80 minutes.

Elsewhere, world number one and local girl Ashleigh Barty braved a scare before powering into the second round. The 23-year-old saw off Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko 5-7, 6-1, 6-1.

Caroline Wozniacki also started with a good win as the 2018 champion beat Kristie Ahn 6-1, 6-3 to reach the second round.

American Coco Gauff, all of 15, got the better of Venus Williams - the second time the teenager has dumped the veteran out in a Grand Slam first round as she won 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.

Defending champion Naomi Osaka overcame a patchy and error-prone performance to advance to the second round with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Czech Marie Bouzkova.

The 22-year-old Japanese next faces China’s Zheng Saisai, who needed just 72 minutes to beat Russian qualifier Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 6-2.

Stefanos Tsitsipas put on a commanding performance in his opening match with a thumping 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 win over Italy's Salvatore Caruso.

Dan Evans urged to “miss a few meals” earlier this month by Britain captain Tim Henman, patted his stomach after completing a brave five-set comeback win over American Mackenzie McDonald to reach the second round. The 30th seed’s fitness was under the spotlight pre-tournament after Henman’s light-hearted jibe but Evans had enough in the tank to overhaul McDonald 3-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 on Court 14 at Melbourne Park. Agencies

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