Novak Djokovic eases into Australian Open second round

After an opening day that saw seeds tumble and local players enjoy unexpected success, the Australian Open went mostly to script on Tuesday as world No1 Novak Djokovic and defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka eased into the second round.

Perhaps Monday’s excitement had drained the crowds of intensity, or fans were simply gearing up for local favourite Lleyton Hewitt’s mach later in the day, but the atmosphere was more low key, with polite applause rippling, rather than ripping, around most courts. There was also a low-key element about top seed Djokovic’s play.

Bidding to become the second man to win five Australian Open titles, and touted by pundits and fellow players as the man to beat, Djokovic put in just enough effort to beat Slovenian qualifier Aljaz Bedene 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in a shade under two hours.

“For a first round performance it was pretty good,” said Djokovic, who has been dogged by a virus this month. “Still need to work on some things. I’m still developing my game so I’m glad to go through. It has been a rough two weeks health-wise but I’m getting there.”

Despite taking a fall early in his match, Wawrinka was equally comfortable against Marsel Ilhan, the only Turkish man to have made a grand slam main draw.

“First grand slam is never easy, but I’m happy the way I played,” the Swiss said. “I play some good tennis and I have confidence with my game in general.”

Kei Nishikori also had few problems, enjoying a 6-4, 7-6(7-1), 6-2 victory over former top-10 player Nicolas Almagro, who is on the comeback trail after foot surgery last June.

“Obviously was really tough, tough first match,” said the Japanese. “He could be seeded player, and I know he was injured, but still was tough match.”

Eighth-seeded Canadian Milos Raonic also advanced, 7-6(7-3), 7-6(7-3), 6-3 over qualifier Illya Marchenko, though he admitted his laconic demeanour on court hides a tangled mess of high strung nerves and personal demons.

“Everything bothers me deep down,” a smiling Raonic said after his 28th ace sealed the win over the 144th-ranked Ukrainian. “Everything. I’m not that relaxed.”