Australian Open Day 2: Melbourne burns as Federer advances and Hewitt exits

‘Fed-berg’ and the record 57th appearance

Roger Federer was as elegant as ever during his victory over James Duckworth

‘Fedberg’ made its much-awaited debut as Roger Federer’s box was embellished for the first time with the presence of the six-time Grand Slam champion Stefan Edberg, who’s now a member of the 17-time Grand Slam champion’s coaching team. As for Federer, he added another milestone to his burgeoning achievements. This was the elegant Swiss’s record 57th Grand Slam appearance, and his performance was also polished and crisp as the bigger racquet did the trick in dismantling James Duckworth 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

Most top stars shine

Defending champion Victoria Azarenka looked rusty initially but finished on a high, and so did Maria Sharapova. Caroline Wozniacki and Simona Help mercilessly demolished their opponents while Agnieszka Radwanska needed three sets to win. Jelena Jankovic and Sloane Stephens also won, but Svetlana Kuznetsova departed.

Amongst the men, Andy Murray played a Grand Slam match for the first time since his surgery and produced a clinical display. Juan Martin del Potro and Milos Raonic both lost a set while Frenchmen Jo Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils cruised. Fate, however, was cruel to John Isner as he retired with an ankle injury.

Blame it on everybody!

Marinko Matosevic didn’t win, but was the talking point thanks to his talking. It was yet another first round loss for the Aussie as he fell to a 0-12 record in Grand Slam matches. This time though, he came close, but succumbed in a frustrating five-setter to Kei Nishikori. Afterwards he vented out his feelings in the press-conference. It was definitely not desirable and was an absolutely amateurish outburst as he fired salvos at the crowd, the umpire and even his coach, Mark Woodforde.

Record retirement

There were 9 retirements in the first round at this year’s Australian Open, of which eight were men and only one was from the women’s draw. The number equaled the Open Era Grand Slam record in a round – set at the 2011 US Open.