Tennis: Tennis-Australian Open day one

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Highlights of the first day of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Sunday, all times local (GMT +11):

1255 FERNANDEZ LOOKS TO SWAP RACQUET FOR YARN

Canada’s Leylah Fernandez said she was hoping to relax and unwind with some crocheting after seeing off Czech Sara Bejlek 7-6(5) 6-2 to reach the second round of the Australian Open.

“First I’m going to recover. Then afterwards, I’m probably going to watch a show called ‘Reachers’, it’s a pretty good one. Maybe I’m going to crochet a little bit. I love crocheting,” the 2021 U.S. Open finalist said.

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1218 – RAKHIMOVA FIRST PLAYER INTO SECOND ROUND

World number 93 Kamilla Rakhimova took the honour of being the first player into the second round at Melbourne Park after beating American Emina Bektas 6-4 6-4 in windy conditions on court six.

The 22-year-old Russian baseliner secured the win when the American went long with a service return. Bektas will bank a cheque for A$120,000 ($80,220) for making the long trip down to Australia.

1107 – PLAY UNDERWAY AT THE 112TH AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Play got underway as scheduled on the outer courts at Melbourne Park. The Grand Slam started on a Sunday for the first time in the modern era after the addition of an extra day to make it a 15-day tournament.

A clement day is expected for the first round matches with the temperature set to rise from the current 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) to a forecast high of 24.

($1 = 1.4959 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, Editing by Ken Ferris, Peter Rutherford)