Top-seed Rafael Nadal and world number three Grigor Dimitrov progressed to the second round of the Australian Open with easy victories while top American contenders were sent packing after shock defeats in the first round.
Rafael Nadal. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
World number one Nadal cruised to a 6-1 6-1 6-1 win over Dominican Republic's Victor Estrella Burgos while Dimitrov beat Austrian Dennis Novak 6-3 6-2 6-1 to set up second round clashes against Leonardo Mayer and Mackenzie McDonald respectively.
Nicole Gibbs was the only American to progress from the women's draw with last year's finalist Venus Williams, U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens and CoCo Vandeweghe being the most notable Americans to exit on day one at Melbourne Park.
Ryan Harrison and McDonald were the only Americans to progress to the second round of the men's draw with seeded Jack Sock and John Isner crashing out along with surprise early exits from Croatian Borna Coric and South Africa's Kevin Anderson.
Despite the upsets, the competition remains tough with Caroline Wozniacki, Elina Svitolina and Jelena Ostapenko victorious in their first round matches along with top men's players Marin Cilic, Denis Shapovalov and Nick Kyrgios.
France's 15th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga put in a solid performance to oust American Kevin King 6-4 6-4 6-1 to set up a second round clash with Canadian youngster Denis Shapovalov.
Australian 23rd seed Daria Gavrilova beat American Irina Falconi comfortably with a 6-1 6-1 triumph and will face Elise Mertens in the next stage.
Nadal, playing his first competitive match of the year, hit top form as he cruised to a 6-1 6-1 6-1 win over Victor Estrella Burgos of the Dominican Republic.
"It was a long season in 2017 and I was disappointed to not make it in Brisbane. I just needed more time," the Spaniard said.
"I'm happy to be here again. It's a special unique place and one of the best atmospheres on the tour. To be in front of this crowd is so special."
Australian hope Nick Kyrgios booked a second-round spot with a convincing 6-1 6-2 6-4 victory over Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva.
"I'm just excited to be in Melbourne. A couple of years ago, I made a quarter-final, so hopefully I can go a little bit further this year," Kyrgios, who won the Brisbane title this month, said after the match.
Second seed Caroline Wozniacki recorded her 101st grand slam victory, beating Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-2 6-3.
John Millman has progressed to the second round in front of his home fans, beating Croatian Borna Coric 7-5 6-4 6-1.
Down two sets and a break, a frustrated Coric ended up smashing his racket after Millman sent a lob over his head.
Sixth seed Marin Cilic needed three hours and 17 minutes to overcome Canadian qualifier Vasek Pospisil in a 6-2 6-2 4-6 7-6(5) first-round victory.
CoCo Vandeweghe received a code violation for time wasting because there were no bananas available at Hisense Arena.
After losing the first set in a tiebreak to Hungarian Timea Babos, the American number 10 seed remained in her seat and argued with chair umpire Fergus Murphy that she should be allowed more time during the break because bananas had not been provided.
"I'm waiting for the bananas," Vandeweghe, who lost the match 7-6(4) 6-2, told the umpire.
Last year's semi-finalist Vandeweghe said flu symptoms left her struggling to breathe on court during the loss.
"This is the first time I've been out of bed in four days," the world number nine said. "I've had the flu. The doctor gave me some medication, but it's not working all that well, so here I am."
It was Babos' first win over a top 10-player. "In women's tennis, anything can happen when there is no Serena Williams," she said in her on-court interview, referring to the absent defending champion who gave birth in September.
World number three Grigor Dimitrov fired 21 winners to claim a 6-3 6-2 6-1 victory over Austrian Dennis Novak in the first round.
Talented Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov recorded his first ever win at Melbourne, defeating 19-year-old Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-1 6-3 7-6(5).
Australian Matthew Ebden beat world number 16 John Isner 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-3 on Margaret Court Arena.
Kyle Edmund progressed to the second round when the British world number 49 recorded an upset 6-7(4) 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory over last year's U.S. Open finalist and 11th seed Kevin Anderson.
Last year's runner-up Venus Williams was knocked out in the first round with a 6-3 7-5 defeat by Swiss counter-puncher Belinda Bencic.
Estonian Kaia Kenepi beat 2014 runner-up Dominika Cibulkova 6-2 6-2 in the first round.
Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov was the first one through to the second round from the men's field with a 7-6(3) 6-3 6-4 win over Andreas Haider-Maurer of Austria.
-Reuters
