Australian Open: Serena Williams and Naomi Osaki cruise to second round

[ASFN Admin]

Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka made flying starts to their Australian Open campaigns. The city's mixed feelings about the tournament were evident in sparse crowds at Melbourne Park but that did not bother seven-time champion Williams or title favourite Osaka. Wearing a striking one-legged catsuit that she later revealed was inspired by 1980s athletics star Florence Griffith Joyner, Williams brushed aside Germany's Laura Siegemund 6-1 6-1 in just 56 minutes. The 39-year-old made a nervous start to her 100th match at the tournament, dropping serve in the opening game, but won the next 10 to ease through to a second-round clash with Nina Stojanovic. Williams had pulled out of last week's warm-up event with a shoulder problem, and said: "I was happy just to get through it. I wasn't sure how my serve would be after a little bit of that shoulder, but it's feeling good, I'm feeling good."

Continue reading...