Australian Open 2019, Day 1: Match Points

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LEARNING

Caroline Wozniacki enters a Grand Slam as the defending champion for the first time. She has played first-round opponent Alison Van Uytvanck only once before, winning, 6-1, 6-4 on the clay courts of Rome.

Victoria Azarenka was the last player to successfully defend the Australian Open title back in 2013.

Naomi Osaka is seeking to become the first female winner of back-to-back majors since Serena Williams picked up the French Open and Wimbledon in 2015 to complete her second 'Serena Slam'. Magda Linette is up first for the Japanese, who lost the only previous meeting between the pair in Washington last year.

WTA World No.2 Angelique Kerber is the highest-ranked player in action on day one. She faces Polona Hercog, who she is tied 2-2 in the head-to-head record against. The pair have never gone to three sets, while Kerber won their previous Grand Slam match-up at the US Open as the Slovenian retired at the start of the second set.

Kerber is one of 11 players who could possibly overtake Simona Halep as WTA World No.1 at the end of the tournament.

Maria Sharapova, who will get things going on Rod Laver Arena, stands fourth all-time for main draw matches at the Australian Open with 67. Serena Williams leads the way with 91 – 24 more than Lindsay Davenport and sister Venus.

Croatian pair Donna Vekic and Petra Martic have been seeded at a Grand Slam event for the first time, at 29 and 31 respectively. No.21 seed Wang Qiang is the other player in this position.

Vekic has lost both of her previous encounters with first-round rival Kristina Mladenovic, but both of these were in 2014, when she was lower ranked than the Frenchwoman.

Julia Goerges (Auckland), Aryna Sabalenka (Shenzhen) and Petra Kvitova (Sydney) have all won tournaments so far this season.

TRENDING

Reconnected with Daphne at the draw ceremony today 😍 @australianopen pic.twitter.com/DJe5DK51a9

— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) January 10, 2019

Head down. Back to work.

See you 🔜 @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/qNKYJ2NN6C

— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) January 9, 2019

First practice today at the @AustralianOpen 🌞⭐ #AusOpen #goodtobeback pic.twitter.com/naDfNqykOY

— Elise Mertens (@elise_mertens) January 12, 2019

Thought I was tall until I saw this picture 😖😂 pic.twitter.com/rbaIzBovcG

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@Naomi_Osaka_) January 12, 2019

What a nice surprise to be named @tenniswriters ambassador of the year. Thank you for this recognition 🤗 pic.twitter.com/2HdKB633e2

— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) January 12, 2019

Thank you for being such an inspiration @andy_murray 🙏

Your hard work and perseverance taught me so much.

Hopefully you get to retire on our favourite court @wimbledon.

We will all be cheering for you these next few months 👏 pic.twitter.com/EyYy2z71Ii

— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) January 11, 2019

.@andy_murray You are a champion on and off the court. So sorry you cannot retire on your own terms, but remember to look to the future. Your greatest impact on the world may be yet to come. Your voice for equality will inspire future generations. Much love to you & your family. https://t.co/AQUOP3LGec

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 11, 2019

How I feel about being back at the @australianopen 🤩💙 #onlygreatvibes #HereToCreate #adidasParley #createdwithadidas 📸@corinnedubreuil pic.twitter.com/2gLNd6cWf3

— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) January 11, 2019