Melbourne : India’s only hope in the Australian Open singles got over today as 23 years old Yuki Bhambri lost to Tomas Berdych in the first round. The Czech iron man, who upset Rafael Nadal on the way to last year’s semi-finals, romped away with the match 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 in 1hr 45min as Bhambri’s game deteriorated in fierce heat.
Four times Australian open Champion Roger Federer started his campaign on a winning note . He took just 72 minutes to brush aside the challenge of Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-2,6-1,6-2. Federer looked in nice touch and played sone sublime forehands. The Swiss legend will be facing Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine in the second round.
World No.1 Novak Djokovic also kickstarted his title defence . The Serb defeated South Korean star Hyeon Chung in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 55 minutes.
The 19-year-old didn’t get a chance to stand before Joker , who is aiming to equal the record of six Australian Open men’s titles held by Australian Roy Emerson.
Djokovic is set to face either Frenchman Quentin Halys or Ivan Dodig from Croatia.
Kei Nishikori and Tomas Berdych also moved to the second round without much hiccups. Japanese star Nishikori surged to the second round beating Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 .He will now face his long-time friend cum training partner Austin Krajicek from the USA.
Belgian No.15 seed David Goffin fought back from a set down to defeat Ukraine’s Sergiy Stakhovsky 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
Croatian Ivo Karlovic was the first seeded casualty at the Melbourne Park on Monday .The No.22 seed retired from his first-round match against Argentine Federico Delbonis while trailing 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 2-1.
World number one Serena Williams made a bright start to his Australian open campaign by defeating Camila Giorgi 6-4,7-5. The American will be chasing Steffi Graf’s open era record of 22 Grand Slam titles.
For the first time ever 16th seed Caroline Wozniacki has lost in the opening round to No.76 Yulia Putintseva. Putintseva took three hours to defeat her 6-1, 6-7(3), 4-6 .
Fourth seeded Agnieszka Radwanska defeated Christina Mchale in straight sets 6-2,6-3.
Peter Kvitova also advanced to the second round .The two time Wimbledon champion defeated Luksika Kumkhum 6-3,6-1.