MELBOURNE, Jan 20, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Naomi Osaka made a winning start to
her title defence at the Australian Open on Monday as the Grand Slam
tournament began on schedule after a build-up hit by haze from raging
bushfires.
Hazardous smog left several players with coughs and breathing difficulties
during qualifying last week, prompting speculation about whether the tennis
season’s first Major would be delayed.
But a full roster of matches began on time under cloudy skies at Melbourne
Park, with air quality rated as ‘good’ and rain forecast.
Japan’s Osaka was an early winner as she dismissed Marie Bouzkova of the
Czech Republic 6-2, 6-4 in 80 minutes, breaking a net fitting with one
powerful serve in the process.
“It was really tough for me trying to control my nerves,” said Osaka. “It’s
tough to play someone you’ve never played before in the first round of a
Grand Slam.”
Defending men’s champion Novak Djokovic will open his bid for an eighth
title on Monday, while Serena Williams launches her latest attempt to match
Margaret Court’s record 24 Grand Slam crowns.
Williams’ elder sister, 39-year-old Venus, faces rising star Coco Gauff,
15, who is looking to reprise her upset of the seven-time Grand Slam winner
at Wimbledon last year.
Swiss great Roger Federer, 38, plays America’s Steve Johnson as he looks to
keep ahead of his Big Three rivals by winning his 21st Grand Slam title.
Player anger over smog dominated the final days before the tournament,
which is taking place after deadly bushfires ravaged large parts of the
country.
Slovenia’s Dalila Jakupovic was forced to retire from her qualifier after a
coughing fit, while Britain’s Liam Broady claimed “multiple” players needed
asthma medication.
– ‘I was coughing a lot’ –
“After I practised indoors I felt really bad with my lungs,” said Greece’s
Stefanos Tsitsipas, the world number six.
“I was coughing a lot had troubles breathing for a couple of hours,” he
added.
Federer was one of the competitors who criticised a lack of communication
from tournament officials, who were forced to suspend practice and delay
qualifying.
“You have court calls, then you look at the haze and everything, it doesn’t
look good. How far are we from that threshold of playing, not playing?”
Federer said.
Tournament officials are closely monitoring pollution and will halt play
and close the three main stadiums’ roofs if particulate matter suspended in
the air hits PM2.5 200.
Australian world number one Ashleigh Barty, fresh from winning the Adelaide
International on Saturday, is one of the main attractions on Monday when she
plays Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko in an evening match.
Others on court include sixth seed Tsitsipas and Denmark’s Caroline
Wozniacki, who is playing her last tournament before retiring.
Federer is seeking a 21st Grand Slam crown and his first since Melbourne
Park in 2018.
But the Swiss star, who is targeting a seventh Australian title, is playing
down expectations in his first competitive match of the year.
“He’s match-ready and I’m not,” Federer said of Johnson. “I got to really
make sure I get out of the gates quick.”