That’ll do from me. It’s tea time in Australia. But worry not, for our esteemed colleagues in London will be firing up another live blog to cover the evening session when Ash Barty will play world No 120 Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine. Here’s the new blog with all the action from the evening session:
Updated
Williams 6-7 (5-7) 3-6 Gauff: Youth triumphs over experience at Margaret Court Arena but Williams elicits a rousing applause from the punters who came to see the two-time Australian Open runner-up. She looks far less happy than Gauff, who looks far less happy than her coach, who is wearing a ‘Call Me Coco’ t-shirt and simply cannot contain himself. It was quite a performance from the 15-year-old, who could yet deliver big things in her burgeoning career. She’s not speechless, though, and is enamoured by the fact that people chant her name outside of the US.
Gauff beats Williams (7-6, 6-3)
Second set: Williams 6-7 (5-7) 3-6 Gauff* (*denotes server): Game, set and match. Gauff, the youngest player in the main draw at Melbourne Park, has beaten Williams for the second time, and in straight sets at that. Gauff rushes to 40-0 courtesy of two Williams unforced errors and an ace of her own. Her serve for the match is called out. She challenges. It’s in. She sends another first serve down and CONTROVERSY as Williams runs for a drop shot and appears to have caught it in the nick of time. But Gauff is looking at the umpire, and then at Williams, before it becomes clear the ball had bounced twice before Williams made contact. A bizarre ending to a very entertaining affair.
Updated
Second set: Williams* 6-7 (5-7) 3-5 Gauff (*denotes server): Williams wins her game to love via her fourth ace.
Second set: Williams 6-7 (5-7) 2-5 Gauff* (*denotes server): Williams hasn’t exactly been out of this match, and she’s cleaned up her unforced errors, but her lack of game time and no warm-up tournament is showing in the small moments. She will serve to stay in the match.
Second set: Williams* 6-7 (5-7) 2-4 Gauff (*denotes server): Williams backhands, then aces, and then double faults before putting away a forehand winner. Another ace at 40-15 sees her hold.
Second set: Williams 6-7 (5-7) 1-4 Gauff* (*denotes server): There’s grit and there’s grunt, and then there’s Gauff. Pure grunt and grit give her this very important game. Williams has put up a fight, moving fluidly from 30-0 down into a jumping crosscourt forehand and levelling at 30-30, until a Gauff dropshot is too precise for retaliation. But one should never write off a player of Williams’ calibre. Unfortunately for. Gauff, that’s exactly what she does with a volley that boasts nowhere near enough width, depth or pace, and Williams pounces to wallop it deep beyond her stranded opponent. And yet, Gauff is really going for it on her second serve. The bigger the point, the bigger the second serve. Three deuces later and she holds.
Second set: Williams* 6-7 (5-7) 1-3 Gauff (*denotes server): Williams definitely needs to hold. And that she does. A first-point winner sets the tone and the 39-year-old is on the board.
Second set: Williams 6-7 (5-7) 0-3 Gauff* (*denotes server): Unforced error. Winner. Unforced error. Winner. Winner. Game Gauff. This is running away from Williams now.
Second set: Williams* 6-7 (5-7) 0-2 Gauff (*denotes server): Williams races to 40-0 via some of the trademark play that has built her formidable CV over decades. But her younger counterpart is waiting with her own winner, and utilises the transition to go cross-court in the next point relentlessly prodding until Williams hits the net. Gauff is asking questions to the tune of winning five straight points, and what was a regulation service hold for Williams is all of a sudden an early break for Gauff.
Updated
First set tie-break: Williams 6-7 (5-7) Gauff: At 5-5 Gauff’s first serve is out but she challenges, and gets a bit uppity about it too. It is out, as was called. She fires a hard second serve but follows it with a. drop shot that leaves her a sitting duck and Williams capitalises to bring the tie-break back on serve. Another big second serve from Gauff puts the onus on Williams to serve to stay in the set. She pummels a would-be smash into the net with an open court beckoning, and Gauff wins the first set in more than an hour.
First set tie-break: Williams 6-6 (4-5) Gauff: Gauff consolidates her mini-break and heaps all the pressure on Williams’ serve. But the veteran isn’t done asking questions and eight of the nine points have gone the way of the server.
First set tie-break: Williams 6-6 (1-3) Gauff: Williams has lost the opening three points but her next point pays dividends. With ease she approaches for a forehand volley against the momentum of her body, which was moving left as the ball is diverted into the right-hand corner.
First set: Williams 6-6 Gauff* (*denotes server): Tailing 15-30, there’s a palpable sense of frustration building in Gauff. She may be a prodigy, but she’s also a school kid. A 19-shot rally ensues and finishes with a monster forehand that gives Williams no chance. What was that about her being a school kid? Back in our box. One big serve and another winner later and we’re going to a tie-break.
First set: Williams* 6-5 Gauff (*denotes server): Well well. What do we have here? A tennis match, it would seem. Williams, playing competitively for the first time since October, when she suffered a round-one loss in China, has her tail up and after losing the first point, holds serve with ease.
First set: Williams 5-5 Gauff* (*denotes server): It’s 30-all and Gauff has a third break point as Williams attempts an audacious sliced backhand but the net isn’t kind. Gauff serves a let, and then a good serve and Williams’ return is good. Too good, as Gauff hammers it beyond the baseline. Williams, safely ensconced in another advantage, merely watches as Gauff double faults and hands her a break back.
First set: Williams* 4-5 Gauff (*denotes server): Williams has barely blinked and she’s down 15-40, gifting Gauff two set points. The sprightly, spindly teenager is nimble with a top-spin forehand and then a sliced backhand that draws audible awe from the crowd, who I daresay were less impressed with the subsequent backhand into the net. That was the rally of. the match. For Williams it’s one set point down, one to go. She takes two on her toss. Is she nervous? Whatever it is, it puts Gauff off and she shanks her return off her frame. Two down. Williams takes the advantage and then the game in a manner only the truly experienced know how.
First set: Williams 3-5* Gauff* (*denotes server): One more break and Gauff has the first set.
First set: Williams* 3-4 Gauff (*denotes server): A see-saw ensues as Williams fights to hold serve. Up 30-15, the veteran slams a backhand down the line and Gauf is at full stretch but still possesses the awareness to draw Williams in, before waiting for the return and whipping her own response too deep for her to track back. The longest game of the match so far ensues with four deuces, Williams losing four game points as she attempts to keep the rallies short but dumps balls into the net. Gauff can’t convert her first break point and we’re at a fifth deuce. Then Williams, thankfully, conjures a glimmer of resilience for another advantage and wins the deciding point via a 183km/h ace for good measure. An important hold.
First set: Williams 2-4 Gauff* (*denotes server): Fifteen-year-old Gauff is giving her opponent, 24 years her senior, the runaround and lures Williams into her eighth and ninth unforced errors to hold to love for a second time.
First set: Williams* 2-3 Gauff (*denotes server): When Williams gets herself properly composed she still wields one of the meanest backhands in the game, and she primes herslef well for a forehand winner to go up 40-0 before holding serve in flawless fashion.
First set: Williams 1-3 Gauff* (*denotes server): Afternoon all. I’ve lobbed just in time to see Williams gain her first break point as Gauff toils at 30-40 on her serve. But she recovers with a deft touch, stealing the next three points with ease.
First set: Williams* 1-2 Gauff (*denotes server): Much better from Venus, putting away a tough overhead then serving powerfully wide to Gauff’s forehand for 40-30. She sees off the remaining point to get on the board but it’s going to be a tough day at the office for the veteran.
To take you through the remainder of the session it will be Emma Kemp. Thanks for your company.
First set: Williams 0-2 Gauff * (*denotes server): Another game in quicktime for Gauff, winning eight of the first nine points. She is a supreme talent, and extraordinarily assured - full stop - let alone for her age.
First set: Williams* 0-1 Gauff (*denotes server): The 15-year-old Coco Gauff has blitzed the opening game, breaking 39-year-old Venus Williams. This is such an iconic match-up.
That’s the day’s action taken care of on RLA, so it’s over now to Margaret Court Arena for Venus Williams v Coco Gauff, one of the most intriguing match-ups of the round.
Kevin Mitchell’s first report from Melbourne Park is in:
Rain update: Play is still suspended on all outside courts. A further decision on recommencement of play will be made not before 17:00 AEDT.
“I’m very happy” Federer tells Jim Courier, with a smile that indicates he’s aware of the understatement. He then explains how good a pre-season he’s had, one with no interruptions, meaning he’s fit and firing for the start of the season.
Federer beats Johnson (6-3 6-2 6-2)
Third set: Federer* 6-3 6-2 6-2 Johnson (*denotes server): One hour and 22 minutes is all it takes for Roger Federer to stamp his authority on the Australian Open. That was a vintage display. Even by his high standards that was awesome.
Third set: Federer 6-3 6-2 5-2 Johnson* (*denotes server): Johnson rages against the dying of the light with a hold to love.
Third set: Federer* 6-3 6-2 5-1 Johnson (*denotes server): Great hustle from Johnson to put Federer under pressure at 15-30. But then the GOAT needs only four more swings of his racket to seal the game. The end is nigh.
Like so many big names today, Petra Kvitova (7) didn’t hang around.
Petra Precision 👊@Petra_Kvitova improves to 3-0 lifetime against Siniakova dismissing her countrywoman 6-1 6-0.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/RNV4CDX0ig
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2020
Third set: Federer 6-3 6-2 4-1 Johnson* (*denotes server): A game full of creative shots and interesting points reaches deuce. Both men have all the shots in the kit-bag and both are prepared to use them. It’s refreshing to see a match like this as opposed to the remorseless power-hitting from the baseline we’re so often accustomed to.
Federer forces a break point at deuce that Johnson saves. He earns another soon after when Johnson slices wide, and he converts when the American finds the net without provocation. Another break. Federer coasting to the second round.
Third set: Federer* 6-3 6-2 3-1 Johnson (*denotes server): Another quick hold for the champ. RLA is now full to the brim for the Federer show after Osaka and Williams played to half-full arenas.
Third set: Federer 6-3 6-2 2-1 Johnson* (*denotes server): “He’s so comfortable this is turning into a tryout session” explains Jim Courier about Federer standing way behind the baseline to return Johnson’s serve. It doesn’t work though and the American turns 15-30 to 40-30.
An errant backhand slice provokes deuce where Federer comes out on top of a lovely rally full of different angles and spins. The Swiss then has the game at his mercy but he nets a backhand with the open court begging.
Johnson then converts the second deuce after some unfamiliar off-kilter shots from his opponent.
Third set: Federer* 6-3 6-2 2-0 Johnson (*denotes server): I am running out of ways to describe Federer’s brilliance today. Another service game races by with some shots of audacious brilliance. He is timing the ball so purely on forehand and backhand. It’s like watching a jazz drummer go through his drills. Magnificent.
Third set: Federer 6-3 6-2 1-0 Johnson* (*denotes server): Another set begins with Federer climbing all over Johnson’s serve and earning two break points, the second of which the American sends wide. This has been one-way traffic since the opening point.
Only two other matches taking place right now because of the rain. Grigor Dimitrov (18) has just started on Melbourne Arena, while Petra Kvitova (7) is cruising a set to the good on Margaret Court Arena.
Second set: Federer* 6-3 6-2 Johnson (*denotes server): A clean return winner from Johnson gives the American a rare foothold in a Federer service game. He then scraps to 15-30 but curses a poor backhand that ricochets off the frame of his racquet. Federer then takes control, powering to 40-30 at the net and then pummelling Johnson’s return back where it came from - with interest - to seal the second set. Just 50 minutes played and the Fed Express is motoring at full speed.
The latest update on the outside courts is that play will not resume before 4pm.
Second set: Federer 6-3 5-2 Johnson* (*denotes server): Johnson’s best service game for some time. He holds to love, ending with an ace on the armpit of the T.
Second set: Federer* 6-3 5-1 Johnson (*denotes server): A spiffing volley wrong-foots Federer at the net but that’s as good as it gets for Johnson as the third seed races to another hold of extraordinarily high quality. Federer is averaging under 90 seconds per service game. He’s won 33 of 39 points on his own serve. Sensational.
Second set: Federer 6-3 4-1 Johnson* (*denotes server): Johnson finally manages to slow the match down, interrupt Federer’s rhythm and hold his serve. He has to play his best tennis to scrap to 30-30 though, at which point Federer fluffs a couple of lines and allows Johnson to dodge a second set bagel.
Second set: Federer* 6-3 4-0 Johnson (*denotes server): Federer holds to love. Quelle suprise?
Second set: Federer 6-3 3-0 Johnson* (*denotes server): This is liquid tennis from Federer. Another break arrives in effortless fashion. He’s moving like a firefly, dancing with exceptional lightness of touch from spot to spot. It must be unnerving for Johnson; what does he do?
Second set: Federer* 6-3 2-0 Johnson (*denotes server): I just want to make a series of swoon noises instead of typing actual words. A backhand down the line, over the net post, is gorgeous, then an in-to-out backhand winner deserves its own ESPN 30for30. Sublime, punishing, clutch, aesthetically pleasing, top-level sport. Just enjoy it.
Second set: Federer 6-3 1-0 Johnson* (*denotes server): Federer is mixing flowing attacking tennis on his own serve with precise error-inducing tennis on Johnson’s. That strategy earns Federer a game to love in a performance that resembled a warm-up for him and the most stress-inducing nightmare for his opponent.
First set: Federer* 6-3 Johnson (*denotes server): The point of the match so far sees Federer ending a superb rally with a low stretching backhand volley at the net. The rest of the game is a cakewalk and the living legend takes the opening set in just 27 minutes.
Federer contests and wins his first official set since November. Looks lean, quick, precise and eager to attack the new year. 6-3 over Steve Johnson in this outdoor/indoor duel
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) January 20, 2020
at #AO2020
Updated
First set: Federer 5-3 Johnson* (*denotes server): Johnson holds with the help of a couple of Federer forehand errors.
In case you were wondering about the weather...
Caroline Wozniacki is safely through to the second round. She might be retiring imminently but she’s playing her best tennis in 18-months at the moment.
The farewell tour continues 👏
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2020
2018 champion @CaroWozniacki takes care of business against Ahn 6-1 6-3.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ieEBHnWUcL
First set: Federer* 5-2 Johnson (*denotes server): Federer means business whether it’s indoors or in the open air. There’s an economy of movement, but much of that is forward, coming in and playing plenty of serve-volley tennis. Perhaps Federer is paying tribute to his idol Rod Laver?
Another home hope fades quietly from the scene.
Teenage dream!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2020
19 year-old American qualifier Ann Li is into the second round with a 7-6(4) 7-6(1) win over Aussie wildcard Lizette Cabrera#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/GQBKreIRJu
First set: Federer 4-2 Johnson* (*denotes server): The roof has now weather-sealed RLA and after the resumption Johnson holds serve securely.
Outside the three stadium courts we could be off for some time. The radar indicates a series of slow moving storm cells that promise plenty of rain. But hey, this is Melbourne, so who knows?
Play suspended (rain)
Finally, much later than expected, the rain has arrived. The players head into the locker room while the roof is closed on Rod Laver Arena. Play will doubtless be suspended on the outside courts.
Updated
First set: Federer* 4-1 Johnson (*denotes server): Majestic hold to love, Federer serving supremely, volleying crisply, moving nimbly, and firing groundstrokes with plenty of fizz.
Dan Evans (30) has dodged a bullet.
Dan Evans comes back from two sets down for the first time in his career to defeat MacKenzie MacDonald 3-6 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-3 in the first round. Plays Yoshihito Nishioka next for a potential third-round match against Novak Djokovic. #AusOpen
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) January 20, 2020
First set: Federer 3-1 Johnson* (*denotes server): The Johnson serve is under all sorts of pressure from Federer and it’s an almighty scrap to get to deuce. Thereafter the American pushes through for his first game of the match.
The first major shock of the tournament - Denis Shapovalov (13) is gone! A possible banana skin in Roger Federer’s section of the draw has been avoided.
First big shock of the @AustralianOpen as Marton Fucsovics takes out 13th seed @denis_shapo in four sets. Shapovalov way below his best but great to see Fucsovics playing so well again
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) January 20, 2020
First set: Federer* 3-0 Johnson (*denotes server): Federer faces a bit of pressure at 15-30 but aces his way out of it. Johnson comes back though, earning a break point, but Federer escapes back to deuce.
After barely missing a first serve in two games Federer suddenly looks short of rhythm - but it doesn’t last long. Johnson butchers a makable second serve before a thundering first serve closes the brief opportunity to break.
First set: Federer 2-0 Johnson* (*denotes server): Federer is looking sharp early on and streaks to 0-40 before Johnson finally gets a point on the board. It counts for little though as a lovely rally goes Federer’s way, one featuring plenty of Johnson’s trademark backhand slice but ending with the champion’s trademark backhand down the line.
Updated
First set: Federer* 1-0 Johnson (*denotes server): Federer sprints through the opening game to love looking every inch the champion he is.
Federer: 38-years-old, seeded three, six-time former champion and 20-time grand slam champion and 103-time title winner during an unrivalled career.
He leads the head-to-head 2-0 with Steve Johnson, the 30-year-old American ranked 75 in the world.
Also, it remains remarkable that play is still on considering the Melbourne weather. The eastern suburbs are getting a soaking but the CBD remains mercifully dry.
Next up on centre court, Roger Federer. The Swiss maestro will break the record for the most appearances in the main draw of the Australian Open when he takes on American Steve Johnson in the last scheduled match of the day session at Rod Laver Arena.
The No 32 seed bundled out on day one.
📍Court 22@sorana_cirstea upsets 32nd seed Barbora Strycova with a 6-2 7-6(5) victory.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2020
Can the Romanian keep it going?#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/BwOSj9YxjH
That was convincing from the seven-time champion. The serve and power game were both on point, and the movement was as fluid as it’s looked since Williams returned to the circuit as a mother. The first set was a walkover but she was challenged in the second and did what was needed on the pressure points.
“It’s good to be back,” she says post-match, beaming about her performance and reflecting on securing her first title as a mother recently in Auckland. “I try to tell her [daughter Olympia] I’m a somebody, you know,” she says, smiling broadly, at ease with her surroundings.
Actual tennis chat ends before we learn anything with Serena executing a well-practiced dismount from an interview by pretending to ramble then professing to worrying about rambling, before quickly legging it.
Williams beats Potapova (6-0 6-3)
Second set: Williams* 6-0 6-3 Potapova (*denotes server): A couple of aces, total composure, and Serena Williams is through to the second round.
Second set: Williams 6-0 5-3 Potapova* (*denotes server): Potapova gets through her serving preparation in quicktime, giving her game an element of hustle about it. She exchanges points with Williams until 30-30 when she dumps an error into the net. A rally starts to form at break point but Serena then adds some extra sauce to a forehand that catches Potapova by surprise. Williams to serve for the match.
There is rain pouring across swathes of Melbourne now, but the Olympic Park precinct remains dry - for now. Surely it can’t be long before the outside courts are halted and the roofs cover the stadium courts.
Second set: Williams* 6-0 4-3 Potapova (*denotes server): At 0-15 Serena looks to be facing a nervy service game but in the blink of an eye it’s 40-15. Poptapova will not lie down though and she engineers a superb point, ending with a powerful angled forehand. Does Williams panic? Nope, another ace secures the hold.
Second set: Williams 6-0 3-3 Potapova* (*denotes server): Williams is trying her best to pressurise the Potapova serve but the Russian is resolute, digging in at 30-30 then nailing an ace and an unreturnable scorcher to the Williams backhand. She is a fighter the teenager.
Second set: Williams* 6-0 3-2 Potapova (*denotes server): There are fewer cheap points on offer now for Williams who is forced to work hard to share the opening two points of the game. An ace is then undermined by a wide forehand crosscourt, so what does Serena do? Another ace - 188 kph! Potapova is matching her stroke for stroke though and forces deuce by constantly hitting behind her opponent, keeping her on the defensive.
For the second game in a row Serena faces a break point, this time with an unforced error, but she saves it despite plenty of hustle from Potapova. “Come on!” Williams bellows, unusually amped for what looks such a routine opening round contest. That routine resuming with a couple of powerful serves allowing an unexpectedly tough hold.
Second set: Williams 6-0 2-2 Potapova* (*denotes server): Potapova is working into the contest now. She loses the opening point but makes Serena earn it, then prevails in a long rally full of intent for 15-15. An ace puts her in front but one of the rallies of the match draws Williams level again. These rallies are now much more evenly balanced than in the opening set with Potapova driving through her shots and going for the lines. Again Serena comes out on top in a longish exchange to engineer a break point, which he takes when Potapova goes long mid-rally.
The immediate break back, the hallmark of a champion.
25th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova survives a battle.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2020
The Russian defeats Jil Teichmann 6-4 4-6 6-2 to book a spot in the second round 💪#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Ql3BTejJis
Second set: Williams* 6-0 1-2 Potapova (*denotes server): A rare element of pressure on the Serena serve! Williams cruises to 40-15 but Potapova puts two strong points together the first after moving Serena around the court, the second with a clean winner down the line.
The eighth seed dumps an unforced error into the net on deuce to allow her first break point of the match. What happened next? An ace, of course.
But Potapova digs in and returns a couple of groundstrokes Williams expects to be winners and the veteran blinks first. The second break point? Double fault! Potapova breaks and sneaks ahead in this second set.
Shapovalov (13) is as as good as two sets to one down, and not a happy bunny at all.
Zverev, Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Shapovalov. Who is next? https://t.co/VCiid6uu8u
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) January 20, 2020
More good news for a seed at the expensive of an Aussie.
Argentina's @guido_pella has booked a place in the second round 🇦🇷
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2020
The 22nd seed storms past Aussie wildcard John-Patrick Smith 6-3 7-5 6-4#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/JkUq0bO1JN
Second set: Williams 6-0 1-1 Potapova* (*denotes server): A series of Williams errors invite Potapova into the contest at 40-15. These only serve to highlight the astonishing skill she’s displayed elsewhere, a reminder of which arrives with a rasping forehand winner to force 40-30. But Potapova holds! Finally, a game on the board for the teenager, after Williams hits a backhand a few inches long.
Second set: Williams* 6-0 1-0 Potapova (*denotes server): There’s a warm ripple of applause whenever Potapova wins a point, and stunned near-silence when Serena rips another of her many winners. Not sure if that’s awe, disinterest, or dislike from the RLA crowd, because this is a supreme clinic. Another service game passes in the blink of an eye, sealed with a unreturnable wide kicking ace.
First set: Williams 6-0 Potapova* (*denotes server): Potapova finds a couple of shots this game but Serena is playing near flawless tennis, and despite moving at what looks like half-pace she’s executing with awesome force. She seals the opening set to love in just 19 minutes with a backhand return winner that thunders across court like a fighter jet skidding onto the runway of an aircraft carrier.
I’m covering the action from a few miles east of Melbourne Park, and I just heard an almighty rumble of thunder. The storms are closing in.
First set: Williams* 5-0 Potapova (*denotes server): Williams holds to love. This is a mauling in mauve.
First set: Williams 4-0 Potapova* (*denotes server): We are in double-bagel territory here. Williams races to 0-30 then 15-40 with some scudding groundstrokes on both flanks. A double fault, featuring a foot fault, extends Potapova’s misery.
Another seed through. Bad news for the Aussie.
Just the start Matteo Berrettini was after 👌
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 20, 2020
The No.8 seed defeats Aussie wildcard Harris 6-3 6-1 6-3 to make the 2R! #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/JzAxU0WRAC
First set: Williams* 3-0 Potapova (*denotes server): Williams, top to toe in polka dot lavender, slides to 0-30, but then she gets to work, hitting groundstrokes that pop off the racket to secure four points in a row. Potapova already looks rattled, cursing her errors and directing pained expressions in the direction of her box.
Updated
First set: Williams 2-0 Potapova* (*denotes server): Potapova skips to 30-0 but some neat court craft from Williams and an unforced error from the server and the scoreboard is suddenly 30-30. A double fault followed by a thumping forehand down the line from Williams secures the first break of the match. An ominous start from the seven-time former champion.
First set: Williams* 1-0 Potapova (*denotes server): Serena comfortably holds her first service game of Australian Open 2020. This is her 19th visit to Melbourne Park and she arrives on the back of victory in Auckland recently, her 73rd professional crown.
Potapova has yet to make her mark in the seniors but she is a former junior No 1 and Wimbledon junior champion. Serena is, well, Serena. Universe queen.
Next up on Rod Laver Arena, the one, the only Serena Williams. The 38-year-old 23-time grand slam champion, against 18-year old Russian Anastasia Potapova.
Querrey does it! The unseeded American has ousted 25th seed Borna Coric in straight sets.
#25 Borna Coric is the first seed out of #AusOpen, with Sam Querrey beating him 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 20, 2020
Querrey awaits winner of Carballes Baena vs Berankis in R2.
Denis Shapovalov (13) dropped the opening set to Marton Fucsovics but he has levelled things up in the second.
Huge set for @denis_shapo as he levels at one set apiece with Marton Fucsovics, saving a set point in the tiebreak. Battle of the two former junior @Wimbledon champions
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) January 20, 2020
Turns out #Bananagate is a thing.
So this is the moment where Elliot Benchetrit asks the ballkid to peel his banana. I’m glad the umpire (John Blom) stepped in and told him off. pic.twitter.com/TK1GET68pG
— Alex Theodoridis (@AlexTheodorid1s) January 19, 2020
Borna Coric (25) received a horror draw when unseeded floater Sam Querrey was paired alongside him in the opening round and the American is now two sets up on show court two.
Petra Martic, one of a few dozen genuine contenders for the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
🇭🇷 13th seed Petra Martic has cruised into the second round with a 6-3 6-0 win over Christina McHale#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/xEmbZZ4vRK
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2020
The US contingent is strong in the women’s draw, Sofia Kenin among them.
14th seed @SofiaKenin is through to the second round with a 6-2 6-4 win over qualifier Martina Trevisan#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/qsnA15nPix
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2020
Elsewhere, Mackenzie McDonald remains in control of his contest with 30th seed Dan Evans.
Mackenzie McDonald moves up 6-3 6-4 on Dan Evans.
— Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) January 20, 2020
Would be a huge win for McDonald who has played only one match since May after hamstring tendon surgery. Not so great for Evans.
It remains dry over Melbourne Park, which is perhaps a surprise given the forecast. Storms are still predicted to hit at any point.
It's not that hot but it's really muggy out there today, sweaty conditions for the players at @AustralianOpen
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) January 20, 2020
“It was tough for me trying to control my nerves,” says Osaka on court afterwards with customary honesty. She then thanks the crowd for turning out - self-deprecatingly suggesting they didn’t come to see her play. She is as far from the cookie-cutter athlete as you could imagine in the modern era.
Osaka beats Bouzkova (6-2 6-4)
Second set: Osaka* 6-2 6-4 Bouzkova (*denotes server): A solid service game to see things off for Naomi Osaka. Far from top form but a solid hit-out to get her campaign up and running. The unforced errors will give her and new coach Wim Fissette something to work on but a banana akin has been sidestepped.
Second set: Osaka 6-2 5-4 Bouzkova* (*denotes server): All the momentum is with Osaka heading into a crucial Bouzkova service game and the Japanese’s relentless pressure from the back of the court starts to grind her Czech opponent down. A couple of precision serves from Bouzkova drags 0-30 to 30-all but Osaka then demonstrates too much power and too much timing with her groundstrokes to seal her third game in a row. She will serve for the match.
Second set: Osaka* 6-2 4-4 Bouzkova (*denotes server): Routine hold for Osaka.
Second set: Osaka 6-2 3-4 Bouzkova* (*denotes server): Osaka is starting to cut a frustrated figure out there as Bouzkova refuses to concede a point. Shots are being returned with interest but not all of them are hitting their targets. Not for the first time 30-30 feels pivotal - and this time it goes Osaka’s way - a mishit return loops right on the baseline in the backhand corner and the opportunity to break back immediately presents itself. Bouzkova gold plates it with a double fault.
Back on serve in the second set.
Second set: Osaka* 6-2 2-4 Bouzkova (*denotes server): Impressive returning from Bouzkova and she earns her first break of the match! Nothing flash from the Czech but she kept forcing Osaka to play ball after ball and that patterns of winners or errors eventually counted against her. A wry smile from the third seed, who is perhaps the most unknowable character on the circuit.
Second set: Osaka 6-2 2-3 Bouzkova* (*denotes server): Osaka leads Bouzkova 23-8 in terms of both winners and unforced errors. That means the match is being played on Osaka’s racket, but with enough inconsistency to keep the contest alive. This game is a case in point, winners and errors littering a comparatively simple hold for the underdog.
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Second set: Osaka* 6-2 2-2 Bouzkova (*denotes server): Rapid hold from Osaka.
Julia Goerges might be unseeded but she has a weapon of a serve and she’s been near the business end of the rankings for most of the past three seasons. She’s in Ash Barty’s quarter.
Easy does it.@juliagoerges sweeps past Kuzmova 6-1 6-2 to book a second round berth💪🇩🇪#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/JI2NBLjg4C
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2020
Second set: Osaka 6-2 1-2 Bouzkova* (*denotes server): Bouzkova continues to give the impression of keeping pace with Osaka but she continues to concede points with ungainly errors from the back of the court. She looked a million bucks at 30-15 but ends up 30-40 down and under enormous pressure from Osaka stepping inside the baseline and returning ferociously.
The Czech forces deuce though, and consecutive errors from Osaka hands her the game.
We saluted BJK earlier. I also love Judy Murray, as should everyone.
Probably my favourite place in #Melbourne 🧁 🍰❤️ #HopetounTeaRooms 🏴 pic.twitter.com/NpyMead2eG
— judy murray (@JudyMurray) January 20, 2020
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Vamos!
Your first winner of #AO2020 is Paula Badosa!
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2020
The 🇪🇸 sprints past qualifier Johanna Larsson 6-1 6-0 in 57 minutes.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/ZjHltJV7fj
Second set: Osaka* 6-2 1-1 Bouzkova (*denotes server): Bouzkova has regrouped between sets and she stuns Osaka to move to 0-30 then 15-40 before the Japanese star finds her serving form to force deuce.
At this point there’s a short break in play after Osaka’s serve strikes the net and removes the centre cord from its moorings, forcing some hasty refurbishments with particular attention paid to the net height, accurate to the precise millimetre. the speed of that DIY really was something to behold considering the pressure.
Unperturbed, Osaka nails her second serve then unleashes an ace to hold.
Second set: Osaka 6-2 0-1 Bouzkova* (*denotes server): Bouzkova needs to snap Osaka’s run of five straight games and that’s exactly what she does with a scrappy hold.
Around the courts a few men’s seeds have some work to do. Denis Shapovalov (13) has lost the opening set to Marton Fucsovics, Borna Coric (25) is a set and a break down to Sam Querrey, and Dan Evans (30) is trailing Mackenzie McDonald.
First set: Osaka* 6-2 Bouzkova (*denotes server): The new balls look to make an enormous difference this year. It has already been reported they fluff up quite quickly, creating a range of conditions during their lifespan. Osaka seems to struggle with the extra pace coming back at her after firing down an ace, slipping back to 30-30, before taking a firm grip of her service and securing the set.
No dramas so far for the 2019 winner.
First set: Osaka 5-2 Bouzkova* (*denotes server): Osaka is returning superbly and the longer this match wears on the more errors she’s inducing from Bouzkova. The Czech receives a gift at 15-30, a point that felt pivotal in the context of the momentum of the duel, but she backs it up with her first double fault of the match. An unforced error with plenty of court to hit - not for the first time - then hands Osaka her second break. The third seed will serve for the first set with new balls.
Radu Albot has withdrawn from the #AusOpen.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2020
He is replaced by lucky loser Lorenzo Giustino who will face Milos Raonic.#AO2020 pic.twitter.com/JrQ8cOzXGG
First set: Osaka* 4-2 Bouzkova (*denotes server): Bouzkova plays some nice tennis but still slips to 30-0 then 40-15 with unforced errors. The point she won was a ripper though, crunching a forehand return down the line. An ambitious second serve from Osaka leads to a second double fault of the match and 40-30 but the following rally goes her way, again dominating from the centre of the baseline, drawing Bouzkova out of her comfort zone and then fizzing the winner when enough open court presents itself.
First set: Osaka 3-2 Bouzkova* (*denotes server): That scare on serve has stung Osaka into action. A rasping return winner precedes a series of thumping forehands from the baseline to see her surge to 0-40. Bouzkova rallies confidently, saving two break points then denies the third with the help of a net cord and a superb backhand pass down the line after Osaka was unable to put away a diffiuclt backhand overhead.
A fourth break point arrives at deuce when Osaka again takes control of the angles, but once more she can’t convert, hitting her backhand long. A fifth follows soon after, and this time Bouzkova can’t keep pulling rabbits out of hats and the champ moves a break up.
The pattern of the match so far is Bouzkova struggling to land her first serves and Osaka controlling points from the baseline, hammering forehands and backhands, moving her opponent side to side, but struggling to land regular killer blows.
First set: Osaka* 2-2 Bouzkova (*denotes server): A few questions for Osaka as she slips to 15-30 with a double fault. Bouzkova helps her out with a sloppy error but Osaka returns the favour to face the first break point of the match. She defends it well though, backing up a second serve with a fierce backhand into the corner.
Deuce one becomes deuce two after Osaka struggled to read the pace of the court. Australian qualifier Max Purcell told me earlier this week he thought the courts were playing much slower than expected (and slower than he would like).
Osaka eventually holds after prevailing in the point of the match so far, drilling a backhand down the line after a long probing rally.
This is a fun pub conversation. Pliskova, by a mile, in the women’s for me. Not sure about the men’s.
With Berdych and Ferrer retired, best active men's player yet to win a Slam is either Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Dominic Thiem (I'll pick Tsonga)
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) January 20, 2020
For the women, seems clear: Karolina Pliskova (although Jelena Jankovic has yet to officially retire)
Anyone disagree?#AO2020
First set: Osaka 1-2 Bouzkova* (*denotes server): Osaka wins the first point for a receiver to earn 15-15 after working Bouzkova around the court with some fierce backhands from the baseline. Both players are reasonably conservative in these early exchanges, eschewing the attempted big winners in favour of establishing a rhythm. Osaka looks the more confident during rally situations but slips to 40-15 with a couple of unforced errors but rips a massive forehand return winner to to get back to 40-30. Not that it matters as the following return limps tamely into the net.
First set: Osaka* 1-1 Bouzkova (*denotes server): And an even easier hold to to love for Osaka, the defending champion’s serve in fine order early on.
First set: Osaka 0-1 Bouzkova* (*denotes server): Easy hold to love for the Czech thanks to Osaka missing her mark on a number of occasions testing out her range.
The RLA roof is half-open (or half-closed) in anticipation of the weather to come. It’s cool and overcast. The arena is maybe half full. Naomi Osaka all in white, Marie Bouzkova in a jazzy pink number.
This is the first time these two have met in competition. Osaka, 22, the defending champion, seeded three (ranked four now on the WTA rankings) against Bouzkova, 21, ranked 59 in the world.
Ok, the action will be underway shortly. Naomi Osaka is just going through some warm-ups in the bowels of Rod Laver Arena, ready to make the walk of champions and out into the spectacular stadium.
John Fewings has emailed in, urging players to use their profile to highlight the environmental damage facing Australia as a consequence of the climate emergency. “The players should be wearing smoke masks and taking advantage of the opportunity to remind Australia’s politicians that they have a duty to finally get their act together!”
It’s a tall order. Modern tennis players have become masters at avoiding controversy and operating as CEOs of their own global brands.
This promises to be the final sighting of Caroline Wozniacki on court at the Australian Open. The 2018 champion is ready for the next chapter in her life.
Host broadcaster Channel 9 is not my spiritual home for sports coverage so this could be a long fortnight. Exhibit A: captioning Grigor Dimitrov as Stan Wawrinka during a filler segment recorded on a red carpet before cutting to adverts.
Russell Jackson is on Kyrgios-watch all tournament, and he has set the scene superbly with this tremendous column.
There has always been blame on both sides of the Kyrgios “debate”, such as it is. The Nick knockers veer between sour-faced fogeyism and borderline white supremacy, while the boosters ignore Kyrgios’s worst behaviour and pretend that a basketball jersey is a personality. In the middle somewhere lies an infuriating, funny, petulant, brilliant, inconsistent, even loveable young man, and one less easy to categorise.
Novak Djokovic is the king of Melbourne Park.
Ash Barty is not in action until later tonight, but as Simon Cambers writes, she is carrying the hopes of the home country on her shoulders.
Plenty of preview content to dive into before the action gets underway.
And what with her being up first on RLA, perhaps best to kick-off with a lovely feature on the charming and idiosyncratic Naomi Osaka from Tumaini Carayol.
When Osaka is not exterminating effortless 100mph forehands, it can be easy to forget how ambitious and driven she is. Away from the courts, Osaka often seems younger than her age. She is funny and eternally honest. She pauses to think before each answer, she tosses in cultural references that invariably lead to errors from the stenographers who aren’t quite knowledgeable in K-pop and memes.
Billie Jean King is the best.
Good luck to all the players competing in the @AustralianOpen! The memories I have from playing there are among the most special of my career. #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/3Lb8h5tuUm
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 19, 2020
Weather forecast
After a lead-in focussing on the dangerous air quality and the impact that may have on scheduling, you guessed it, the rain has arrived. Melbourne was soaked on Sunday and is braced for more precipitation today. Thundery showers, accompanied by strong southerly winds, are forecast throughout the day, meaning we might not see much action outside the trio of courts with roofs.
The rest of the week is classic Melbourne. Tuesday should be cool and dry. Wednesday will be hot and steamy with thunderstorms expected in the late afternoon-evening as fierce northerly winds blow through. That rain could interrupt play during the early part of Thursday too, which will see temperatures back on the mild side.
The weekend should be settled, and may be required to host more matches than usual to make up for lost time. Who’d be a scheduler?
Severe Weather Warning remains current for much of central and eastern Victoria. Rain increasing in #Melbourne throughout the morning; heaviest during the afternoon and evening. https://t.co/HLs2UYFQyQ #melbweather pic.twitter.com/46KqbpKK9a
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) January 19, 2020
Order of play (outside courts)
Here’s a quick rundown of some other names in action that might catch your eye:
Court 1573 (the old show court two): If you’re looking for an upset, this could be the court for you. Borna Coric (25) has a tough test against Sam Querrey before Fabio Fognini (12) takes on the new serving king Reilly Opelka. Madison Keys (10) then faces former top-tenner Daria Kasatkina with the action rounded off by Jo Konta (12) against the dangerous Ons Jabeur.
Court 3: Australians Lizette Cabrera and Jordan Thompson are in action early.
Court 5: This will be wild! Marin Cilic - a former finalist here, but in a stinking run of form - will doubtless have an army of Croatian fans behind him on one of the quirkier outside courts, featuring as it does a row of gum trees among the limited seating.
Court 7: Jannik Sinner and Max Purcell have a combined age of just 39 and their contest should be worth watching. Sinner is the recently crowned Next Gen Finals champion while Purcell is your prototypical Australian sportsman.
There’s plenty of other interesting names floating around, like Milos Raonic out on court 19, Kyle Edmund v Dusan Lajovic on court 15, and Dan Evans opening up on court 14.
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Order of play (show courts)
Rod Laver Arena: What a line-up for the opening morning of the grand slam season - defending champion Naomi Osaka followed by living legends Serena Williams and Roger Federer. All will expect to progress without alarm based on current form.
#AusOpen Order of Play - Monday January 20 -
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2020
Rod Laver Arena#AO2020 pic.twitter.com/tSmz8R3WhY
Margaret Court Arena: Rising Canadian star Denis Shapovalov leads the way on the second stadium court, followed by popular Czech Petra Kvitova. After her comes an odd piece of scheduling. For mine, Venus Williams v Coco Gauff is the match of the opening round but it’s somewhat buried in the schedule. Gauff is the hottest prospect in the sport, Williams a two-time former finalist of immense standing, and they have history after Gauff’s stunning victory at Wimbledon last year.
#AusOpen Order of Play - Monday January 20 -
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2020
Margaret Court Arena#AO2020 pic.twitter.com/bj7HQmdfDE
Melbourne Arena: Some home hopes get a run out on the third show court with wildcard Andrew Harris kicking things off against one of the finds of last year, Matteo Berrettini. After they have finished former champion Caroline Wozniacki begins her valedictory campaign, then it’s nearly-man Grigor Dimitrov before Australian veteran Sam Stosur takes on Caty McNally, a player near-enough half her age.
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The #AusOpen is officially open! Thanks to former AO champs Marat Safin (2005) and @LDavenport76 (2000) pic.twitter.com/b1I9x790qp
— Craig Tiley (@CraigTiley) January 19, 2020
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live rolling coverage of the opening day’s play from the Australian Open. We’ll be with you here all the way until around 7pm Melbourne time, when a separate evening liveblog will kick-off for all the action under lights.
Pre-season passes in the blink of an eye on the packed tennis calendar and once again the sport’s superstars are gearing up for grand slam action. It’s been an odd build-up to this year’s event with the relaunched ATP Cup forcing a rejig to preparation for the men, and Melbourne’s dreadful air quality overshadowing AO qualifiers.
But the draw has sprinkled this opening day of action with stardust and tournament organisers will be hoping the likes of Roger Federer and Serena Williams will provide some much needed positive attention on an event marketed as the happy slam, but so far struggling to live up to its reputation.
If you want to join in the conversation you can reach me by email at jonathan.howcroft.casual@theguardian.com or on Twitter at @JPHowcroft.
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