Federer, Williams start Australian Open with a bang

Roger Federer roared into Australian Open’s second round with an ominous display, Venus Williams outshone.

MELBOURNE: Defending champion Roger Federer roared into the Australian Open’s second round with an ominous display, as Venus Williams outshone her rival on day one.

Meanwhile, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic was also in destructive mood as he hammered Spain’s Marcel Granollers 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 to begin his tournament in emphatic fashion.

In cool and cloudy conditions, Federer was irresistible on Rod Laver Arena as he banished 97th-ranked Slovakian Lukas Lacko 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 with trademark grace and aggression. The world number two broke Lacko’s serve seven times and hit a stream of 37 winners and just 18 unforced errors to polish off the Slovak.

A fifth Open win for Federer, 29, would also stop top-ranked Rafael Nadal, his long-time nemesis, completing the first sweep of all four major titles in more than 40 years. “I was able to keep on pressing and put him on the back foot,” said Federer. “I saw some talent in him, too, and that’s why I was really happy I chose that tactic early on to pressure him.”

Federer will face Gilles Simon of France in the next round as he bids to become only the second man, after Australia’s Roy Emerson, with five or more Open wins.

Meanwhile, Andy Roddick defeated Jan Hajek 6-1,6-2, 6-2 but it was a disastrous day for Nikolay Davydenko who crashed out against  Florian Mayer 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) 6-4.  Sam Querrey was also sent packing in a five-set upset defeat to Poland’s Lukasz Kubot, while Tomas Berdych went through in straight sets and Mardy Fish recovered from two sets down to beat Victor Hanescu.

Venus, Wozniacki progress

Venus Williams overcame a slow start to overpower Italy’s Sara Errani 6-3, 6-2. Williams, who used an inhaler between games, was untroubled by the fact she has not played a tour event since the US Open in September, and warmed up only with an exhibition tournament in Hong Kong.

Top-seed Caroline Wozniacki was unconvincing in a 6-3, 6-4 win over Argentina’s Gisela Dulko. Wozniacki took one hour and 40 minutes to claim her first victory. Maria Sharapova took a 6-1, 6-3 win over Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn.

Mirza declares a comeback

India’s Sania Mirza boldly declared she was back to her best after giving seven-time major-winner Justine Henin a scare in the first round. Mirza, currently ranked 145th after battling injury in recent seasons, stunned Henin in a whirlwind first set before the pint-sized Belgian came back to win 5-7, 6-3, 6-1. “For me, to know I can match a player like that is something I am really happy about,” said Mirza. “It gives me a lot of confidence that I am back and I am ready to compete with the big girls.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th,  2011.