Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates after the men's singles first round match between Roger Federer of Switzerland and Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan at the 2019 Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 14, 2019. Roger Federer won 3-0. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
SYDNEY, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- With over 66,000 people on Monday in attendance at Melbourne Park on day one of the Australian Open, the big names did not disappoint.
Defending his title from last year and chasing his 100th APT singles title, Roger Federer breezed past Kazakhstan's Denis Istomin in straight sets, while long-time rival Rafael Nadal and 2018 finalist Marin Cilic also made light work of their first round matches, making it through to the next stage without dropping a set.
In other high-profile contests, Grigor Dimitrov and Kevin Anderson both booked their places in the second round, veteran Tomas Berdych upset Kyle Edmund in three sets and Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut ousted Britain's Andy Murray in a gripping five-set thriller.
For the home fans who braved the scorching heat, there was also plenty to cheer, with local players John Milman, Jordan Thompson, Matthew Ebden and Sydney International winner Alex de Minaur all progressing further.
It was a similar story in the women's division, as last year's winner Caroline Wozniacki outstruck Belgium's Alison Van Uytvanck in straight sets, while other big names such as Petra Kvitova, Angelique Kerber, Sloane Stephens, Kiki Bertens, Maria Sharapova and local favorite Ashley Barty all got through the first round unscathed.
Although she still managed to progress, things were a little tougher for Belinda Bencic, who needed three sets to see off a determined Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic.
It was also a great day for Chinese fans visiting Melbourne, as 24-year-old Wang Yafan blasted her way past Australia's Ellen Perez with superior power from the baseline, winning the tie 6-4, 6-0.
