Melbourne (ANTARA News) – Defending champion Serena Williams and world number one Justine Henin safely negotiated the Australian Open first round Monday, as third seed Jelena Jankovic narrowly avoided a major upset.
Under blazing sun, a super-fit Williams sailed past Australian qualifier Jarmila Gajdosova 6-3, 6-3 in just over an hour, but was below her best as she began her quest for a ninth Grand Slam title.
“I think everyone could probably tell I was a little scratchy. But, you know, it`s the first round. Just moving forward,” said the seventh seed.
“I thought she played well. I thought she definitely has a lot of power and she has a really good serve. Actually, I think she has a really, really good return.”
Williams stunned the tennis world here last year when she beat Maria Sharapova in the final after entering the tournament unseeded and ranked 81 after an injury-plagued 2006.
She said the memories came flooding back when she walked out on centre court.
“Yeah, I just thought about last year, my last match on that court, I was able to win it. That`s all I thought about.
“I didn`t think about the ceremony, holding up the trophy. I just got right back into the swing of things and thought, I have to stay focused.”
Williams has highlighted top seed Henin, who won the Sydney International on Friday, and her sister Venus as her main threats.
The Belgian was given an unexpectedly tough workout by Japan`s Aiko Nakamura in her match, before winning 6-2, 6-2.
“It`s been the best season of my career but I`m just focused on this tournament now,” said Henin, who won here in 2004 but missed last year`s tournament as she finalised her divorce.
“What I did last year is in the past but it gave me a lot of joy and a lot of experience and I hope I can use it this year.”
She is now unbeaten in 29 matches, a run stretching back to the Wimbledon semi-final last July.
Jankovic very nearly became a high-profile casualty when she was pushed to the limit by 17-year-old Austrian Tamira Paszek before prevailing 2-6, 6-2, 12-10 in an epic three hour, nine minute battle.
The highly-fancied Serb, who enjoyed a rapid rise through the women`s rankings in 2007, gave away the first set 2-6 but got back into her stride by taking the second.
The 22-year-old`s characteristic vigour came to the fore in a thrilling third set which lasted almost two hours.
Both players were feeling the pace with Jankovic receiving treatment for a lower back problem and Paszek, ranked 39, leaving the court for a left hip injury.
The matches were played on the new Plexicushion hardcourts that have replaced the Rebound Ace that had been used here since 1988.
The surface is designed to help reduce wear and tear injuries for the players, as well as produce more consistent bounce and cooler court temperatures.
But the most striking difference for the fans is that the surface has changed from green to blue.
Among the men, 24th seed Jarkko Nieminen made the second round with a five set victory over Canada`s Frank Dancevic while 23rd seed Paul Henri-Mathieu beat Victor Hanescu of Romania.
Defending champion Roger Federer kickstarts his drive for a 13th Grand Slam crown on Tuesday, having recovered from a bug that threatened to derail his tournament.
His main challenge is expected to come from Rafael Nadal, who plays Serbia`s Viktor Troicki in an evening match Monday.
Among his other rivals, Andy Roddick plays the Czech Republic`s Lukas Dlouhy while world number three Novak Djokovic is up against Germany`s Benjamin Becker on Tuesday, AFP reported.(*)