Swiatek battles past Kenin; Ruud cruises into the second round

Iga Swiatek passed an early test in her quest for her first Australian Open title on Tuesday, defeating 2020 champion Sofia Kenin 7-6(2) 6-2, despite blazing heat and blustery conditions.

Swiatek won the pair's only previous meeting in the French Open final four years ago, and the 22-year-old twice came back from a break down to win the first set in a tie-break on a sweltering Rod Laver Arena.

The four-time major champion had a strong lead-up to the year's first Grand Slam, winning five consecutive singles matches in Poland's run to the United Cup mixed team event final, and she broke American Kenin for a 3-2 lead in the next set.

Kenin, who has battled injuries, illness, and off-court issues in recent years, fought bravely and had the opportunity to respond, but top seed Swiatek extended her lead and pulled away for victory.

"It wasn't the easiest first round," admitted Swiatek, who is now on a 17-match winning streak following victories in Beijing and the WTA Finals last year, as well as her United Cup heroics.

"I tried to find my rhythm, play the important points well in the opening set. I felt off in terms of the timing. For sure the temperature was higher than any match I've played here and I needed to adjust as the balls were flying in these conditions."

Swiatek will face 2022 finalist Danielle Collins, who defeated former champion Angelique Kerber 6-2, 3-6, and 6-1.

Russian 14th seed. Daria Kasatkina defeated American Peyton Stearns 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, but she too struggled with the weather.

"It's windy and its hot, so it was difficult to control the ball," Kasatkina said, before looking ahead to her second-round match against former US Open champion Sloane Stephens.

"I'm happy with how I was able to play in the third set."

Stephens, who peaked at number three in 2018 but has since slipped to number 44, defeated local wild card Olivia Gadecki 6-3, 6-1.

"Her ranking doesn't talk about her level," Kasatkina added. "I hope the crowd will be by my side, it'll be a tough match."

At least one player was enjoying the weather, with Norwegian 11th seed Casper Ruud basking in the sun during a routine 6-1 6-3 6-1 victory over Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

"It's minus 20 back home, so it's quite a change. It's much nicer to be in the warm summer weather," said Ruud, who lost in the second round in 2023.

"The body and tennis is feeling great. Hopefully I can have a good run down here. It's been a couple years in a row where I wasn't able to play as well as I hoped here. Hopefully 2024 we can turn that around."

Holger Rune defeated Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka in four sets and more than three hours, with the Danish eighth seed winning 6-2 4-6 7-6(3) 6-4.

Briton Jack Draper struggled in the heat and had his blood pressure checked midway through his 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-0 6-2 victory over Marcos Giron, while compatriot and 19th seed Cameron Norrie defeated Juan Pablo Varillas 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

Jiri Lehecka, the 32nd seed from the Czech Republic, continued his strong form in Australia, defeating Spaniard Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

Grigor Dimitrov, another early 2024 title winner after his Brisbane victory, came back from a set down to defeat Marton Fucsovics 4-6 6-3 7-6(1) 6-2.

Victoria Azarenka, the double Australian Open champion, was also put to work by Italian Camila Giorgi before the 18th seed from Belarus won 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.

"First round of a Grand Slam is always nerve wracking for me even though I've been playing pretty well," said Azarenka. "I'm hoping to build from here."

SportsLigue