New look,same old story

Melbourne Parks first glimpses of Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray were brief on Tuesday but Serena and Venus Williams both gave full value at the Australian Open with their first-round wins...

Melbourne Parks first glimpses of Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray were brief on Tuesday but Serena and Venus Williams both gave full value at the Australian Open with their first-round wins.

World number one and top seed Nadal took just 77 minutes to thrash Belgian Christophe Rochus 6-0,6-2,6-2 in the night match. The Spanish muscleman won 83 points to Rochuss 40 including 47 clean winners to seven in a dominant display. I played well,moving the ball very well around the court. The only thing you think is win. It was quick so that was better, he said.

Pre-tournament favourite Murray zipped through to round two in double-quick time when his opponent retired injured. The fourth seed was leading Andrei Pavel 6-2,3-1 when the Romanian quit after 45 minutes with a back injury that had kept him out of the sport for most of last year. I guess if you want to do well in the tournament,its good to conserve some energy … hopefully that was a good thing, the Briton said,weighing the pros and cons of his short outing in 37 degree Celsius heat.

Cantering through

Story continues below this ad

Serena cantered through with a 6-3,6-2 win over Chinas Yuan Meng. The American second seed is seeking a fourth Australian title after winning here in 2003,2005 and 2007. It was a little hot for me today, she smiled,sipping a drink. It was a case of taking my time,not giving 1,000 per cent,you know? I was getting super thirsty out there at one stage I had to stop and have a drink of water.It was definitely extreme conditions, she added,stifling a sniffle. I do have a little bit of a head cold … I hope that goes away.

She was joined in the second round by big sister Venus who enjoyed a 6-3,6-3 victory over Germanys Angelique Kerber.

World number four Elena Dementieva survived the heat to see off Kristina Barrois. Unbeaten so far this year after picking up titles in Auckland and Sydney,Dementieva beat the German 7-6,2-6,6-1.

It was a very tough match,especially because of the weather conditions today. Also it was not easy for me to come here after playing so many matches in a row, she said.

Story continues below this ad

Im sure I wouldn’t have minded one or two extra days before. But those are the kind of days you have to survive. Im just very glad I was able to do it.

Last years mens runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was on song,beating Juan Monaco 6-4,6-4,6-0. James Blake defeated Canadas Frank Dancevic 6-4,6-3,7-5.