Swiatek, Gauff through to Australian Open 2nd Round

World number two Iga Swiatek advanced to the second round of the Australian Open on Monday with an unconvincing 6-3 6-4 win against first-time opponent Katerina Siniakova on John Cain Arena.

Swiatek struggled to find the deliberate rhythm that has helped win her five Grand Slam titles as her Czech opponent, a doubles specialist, put up some stiff resistance.

"For sure it wasn't an easy first round so I'm happy I got through," said the 23-year-old Pole.

"I felt like she was playing really well and I knew I needed to be more proactive and I was that way (in the end)."

Her hesitant win against the 50th-ranked Siniakova was nonetheless popular with the many Polish fans who always provide her with strong support in Melbourne.

Swiatek, who served a one-month doping ban around the WTA Finals last November, thanked the fans on court before revealing that she listened to hard rock before coming out for her match.

Swiatek could go back to the top of the world rankings if there are early exits for Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff but the priority for the Pole would surely be to add a first Australian Open title to her four French Open and single U.S. Open crowns.

Swiatek, whose best performance on the Australian Open's hardcourts was a semi-final loss to American Danielle Collins in 2022, will play Rebecca Sramkova of Slovakia in the second round.

Meanwhile, Coco Gauff is hoping that coming through a tough first round clash with former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin on Monday will hold her in good stead for the rest of the tournament.

The third seed was given a solid workout by 2020 champion Kenin in blazing sunshine on Rod Laver Arena but extended her lengthy winning streak to reach the second round with a 6-3 6-3 victory.

Gauff famously made her Grand Slam breakthrough as a 15-year-old qualifier at Wimbledon in 2019 when she reached the fourth round after upsetting Venus Williams in straight sets.

Still only 20, the American number one believes she is now a far more measured player and marvelled at her unbridled confidence in those early days.

"Honestly now I think I have, not less confidence, but I think then I was almost, like, delusional," she recalled.

"I remember I had my run at Wimbledon, and I thought I was like a slam contender afterwards. Yeah, I think that's just what my mind was being a naive kid."

Gauff is now, of course, a Grand Slam champion having won the 2023 US Open but her best performance in Melbourne was her semi-final loss to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka last year.

She will next face Jodie Burrage in the second round and the Briton promised to take the game to the world number three.

"It's a free swing for me," Burrage said. "I'm a proper underdog. See what I can do, see where my level is at with arguably one of the best players in the world right now."