Australian Open 2014: day one – in pictures

The tournament kicks off in the Rod Laver Arena with an Australian – the unseeded Jarmila Gajdosova – taking on No9 seed Angelique Kerber, above. The German's superior ranking and experience paid off as she eventually saw off the Australian 6-3, 0-6, 6-2 Photograph: Mast Irham/EPA

Next up in the arena was third seed David Ferrer who dispatched the unseeded Alejandro Gonzalez 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 Photograph: Matt King/Getty Images

The Australian fans in the arena had something to cheer about when Samantha Stosur overcam Klara Zakopalova in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4 Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Novak Djokovic was taken to a tie-break in the second set by Lukas Lacko before the defending champion triumphed with a comfortable straight sets win 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 6-1 Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images

Serena Williams powers a forehand return back to Ashleigh Barty as the former champion showed why she is the No1 seed with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-1 victory Photograph: David Gray/Reuters

Denis Istomin turns on the style during his straight sets 6-4,7-5, 6-4 win over Marcos Baghdatis Photograph: Mark Dadswell/EPA

Li Na seems to be enjoying signing autographs for her fans after winning her match against Ana Konjuh 6-2, 6-0 Photograph: Xinhua /Landov / Barcroft Media

Ana Ivanovic fires a forehand to Kiki Bertens during her 6-4, 6-4 win Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images

Jerzy Janowicz serves to the unseeded Jordan Thompson during a tough five-setter where the No20 seed came back from two sets down to triumph 1-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 Photograph: Petar Kujundzic/Reuters

Venus Williams crashed out of the tournament as Ekaterina Makarova came back from set down to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The unseeded Julia Goerges provided an upset when she beat No7 seed Sara Errani in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images

It's no wonder Heather Watson looks dejected as she walks off the court after her match with Daniela Hantuchova. She lost 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 Photograph: Jason O'Brien/Action Images

Laura Robson hits a return to Kirsten Flipkens during her 6-3, 6-0 defeat to the N018 seed Photograph: Brandon Malone/Reuters

No12 seed Tommy Haas retired during during the second set of his match againt Guillermo Garcia-Lopez with the score 7-5, 5-2 in the unseeded player's favour Photograph: Brandon Malone/Reuters

Sabine Lisicki made short work of Mirjana Lucic-Baroni with a 6-2, 6-1 straight-sets win Photograph: Narendra Shrestha/EPA