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Kerber wins first match of Australian Open

January 16, 2018

Aiming for her second Australian Open title, Angelique Kerber cruised into the second round, while Alexander Zverev, Roger Federer and six-time champion Novak Djokovic also avoided first-round upsets.

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Auastralian Open in Melbourne - Angelique Kerber
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Brownbill

Former champion Angelique Kerber won her first round match of the 2018 Australian Open against Anna-Lena Friedsam Tuesday in Melbourne Park.

The 2016 Australian Open winner beat fellow German Friedsam 6-0, 6-4 to win her tenth match in a row this season. Kerber will celebrate her 30th birthday on Thursday with a match against either Nao Habino or Donna Vekic in the next round.

Auastralian Open in Melbourne - Angelique Kerber
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Brownbill

"I'm feeling good and trying to continue how I have played in the last few weeks," she said after the game. "I'm just trying to enjoy it again on court."

Zverev wins, Raonic loses

Alexander Zverev began his campaign with a match on the Rod Laver Arena against Italy's Thomas Fabbiano, winning 6-1, 7-6, 7-5. 

Canada's Milos Raonic was the surprise exit of the day after he was beaten by Slovakia's Lukas Lacko. The 30-year-old won in four close sets 6-7, 7-5, 6-4, 7-6.

Novak Djokovic returning from injury and seeded 14 was playing his first match since Wimbledon last July as he strolled to victory against Donald Young of the US 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.

Stan Wawrinka has also not raised a racket in match play since Wimbledon and, though he was taken to four sets against Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis, looked relatively untroubled in a 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7/2) win.

Read more: Australian Open 2018: Angelique Kerber handed all German opener

Former No.1-ranked Karolina Pliskova beat Veronica Cepede Royg 6-3, 6-4 and Australian-born British player Johanna Konta won her match against Madison Brengle 6-3, 6-1.

Brengle's loss is the tenth for American women at this year's tournament that included the elimination of Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens on Monday.

Maximilian Marterer reached the second round after beating fellow German Cedrik-Marcel Stebe 6-0, 6-3, 6-4.

Former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova beat Germany's Tatjana Maria 6-1 6-4 in the Russian's first Australian Open match since testing positive for a banned substance in 2016. "I've got shivers," Sharapova said of playing again at Melbourne Park. "It means a lot to me. I cherish these moments."

Federer start campaign

Nineteen-time Grand Slam winner and defending champion Roger Federer got his Australian Open campaign underway with a straightforward first-round victory. Slovenia's Alja Bedene had his moments throughout the match, but was ultimately outclassed by the Swiss, who made light work of a  6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory. 

amp/jm (AFP, Reuters, AP, dpa)