Translating…
| 2020 Australian Starting up |
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| Venue:Melbourne ParkDates:20 January to 2 February |
| Coverage:Hear on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and online; Live textual snort material on selected fits on the BBC Sport web build and app. |
Serena Williams underlined why she is the Australian Starting up favourite with a swiftly first-round steal, whereas defending champion Naomi Osaka moreover stepped forward.
Williams, chasing a document-equalling 24th Colossal Slam title, took the first situation in 19 minutes in a 6-0 6-3 victory over Russia’s Anastasia Potapova.
Third seed Osaka started slowly against Marie Bouzkova before winning 6-2 6-4.
World predominant Ashleigh Barty and Britain’s Johanna Konta are moreover in action on Monday.
Osaka, who broke the rep with one among her serves against Czech Bouzkova, will play China’s Saisai Zheng within the second round in Melbourne.
Williams, who received her first WTA title in three years within the dart-as much as the outlet Colossal Slam of the 365 days, will play Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek or South Korean wildcard Han Na-lae next.
Varied winners on day one had been Croatian 13th seed Petra Martic, who beat American Christina McHale 6-3 6-0 to situation up an encounter with 2018 Wimbledon semi-finalist Julia Goerges of Germany, and 14th seed Sofia Kenin.
But final 365 days’s Wimbledon semi-finalist Barbora Strycova became as soon as crushed 6-2 7-6 (7-5) by Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.
The tournament went forward as scheduled on Monday after air quality improved in Melbourne.
Final week’s qualifying occasion had been disrupted by delays thanks to the air air pollution attributable to peaceful bushfires.