2011 Australian Open – Day 1

The first major tennis event of the year has begun in Melbourne.  There was no drama, no big upsets, and no heat wave to spoil the opening.

All but 2 of the men’s seeded players won their matches.  Unfortunately, one who didn’t was American Sam Querrey, No. 18. 

No. 2, and defending champion, Roger Federer, displayed a dominating performance to open his title quest.   No. 3 Novak Djokovic also won easily.   Other top men seeing action were No. 6 Tomas Berdych, No. 8 Andy Roddick, and No. 9 Fernando Verdasco, all winning  decisively.

No. 12 Gael Monfils was on the verge of losing to Thiemo de Bakker.  Monfils was down 2 sets and behind 5-2 in the 3rd when de Bakker fell apart.  Monfils rallied to win the 3rd set 7-5 and cruised to a win in the next 2 sets.

American Ryan Harrison joined Querrey on the losing side, leaving Roddick (8), Mardy Fish (16), and John Isner (20) to carry the flag for the U.S.

The women followed a similar pattern, with only 2 of the lower seeds losing on opening day. 

The top-seeded woman, Caroline Wozniacki, won easily over doubles specialist Gisela Dulko.  No. 4, American Venus Williams, No. 6 Francesca Schiavone, No. 8 Victoria Azarenka, and No. 9 Na Li all won.  Only Schiavone required the full 3 sets.

No. 11 Justine Henin struggled early against Sania Mirza before advancing in 3 sets.  No. 14 Maria Sharapova put on a clinic with her dismissal of Tamarine Tanasugarn.

Unseeded American Bethanie Mattek-Sands fell in 3 sets, one better than Jill Craybas.  U.S. player Vania King survived in 3 sets.

Australian favorite Jarmila Groth lost a close battle with No. 21 Yanina Wickmayer.