Serena Williams defeats Ashleigh Barty 6-2 6-1
Novak Djokovic beats Lukas Lacko 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 6-1
Laura Robson & Heather Watson knocked out
Andy Murray plays Go Soeda on Tuesday
Judy Murray
Great Britain Fed Cup captain on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
"I hope Ashleigh manages to settle into the match. It's daunting playing Serena Williams but she'll have the crowd on her side, she moves well, reads the game well and if she can relax we should have a fun match."
There's a slight delay as Serena Williams spots a dead bug on the baseline so a ball girl turns up with a towel and crushes the recently deceased insect some more. Let's spare a thought for the poor thing... There's no need for sympathy for wildcard Barty, though, who dashes to the net and volleys her way to 40-15. Another foray to the tape ends in disaster, however, and a double fault allows Williams back into the match at deuce.
Williams approaches the net for the first time and succeeds with a cross-court winner for a break point. The teenager displays some true Aussie grit, serving out wide to put Williams on the defensive and the crowd are cock-a-hoop as Williams launches a forehand long. An ace from Barty and the cheers of the crowd says it all. The Australian holds the opening game.
Jeremy Bates
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
"From Barty's perspective it's good to get someone like Serena Williams in the first round before they have found their rhythm. It will be an amazing part of her tennis development to be up against Serena."
On we roll to the next match and what hope for Ashleigh Barty? The crowd are firmly in her corner, but how can she overcome the world number one? The players are in position for the start of the match so let's go.
Image source, ReutersHere's a reminder of two shocks in the women's first round. World number 88 Luksika Kumkhum of Thailand, who was playing in just her second Grand Slam tournament, knocked out sixth seed Petra Kvitova 6-2 1-6 6-4. And another upset saw seventh seed Sara Errani, the 2012 French Open finalist, lose 6-3 6-2 to Julia Goerges of Germany.
Asked why he is so successful at the Australian Open, Djokovic says: "It's hard to find one particular reason. I love energy, I love the Australian people and just being here. Secondly, it's the start of the season and, I guess, everybody is very motivated and inspired to play their best tennis. I don't take any match for granted."
Courier points out to Djokovic that he has not lost a match since he became engaged in September, and inevitably asks: "What took you so long?"
"You're putting me on the spot right now," replies Djokovic, and the crowd - including Boris Becker - chuckle. "I love you, darling," adds Djokovic, hoping his fiancée Jelena Ristic is watching somewhere. What a charmer he is. The Serb now has the crowd in the palm of his hand and, under further heavy questioning, reveals the pair have not set a date. "I guess I'm going to leave all the organisation to her," he says.
Novak Djokovic is in the mood for japes, complimenting interviewer Jim Courier on his suit. He then pleases the crowd by saying: "It's a great pleasure to be back on this court."
After the cheers die down, the Serb adds: "In the first two sets I was struggling to find the right positioning. I'm just glad to go through."
Jeremy Bates
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
"That was a really entertaining match and credit to Lacko who threw everything he had at Djokovic, but Djokovic moved seamlessly into tournament mode again and at the end of it was really bossing the match."
Both players smile as they meet at the net and the crowd warmly cheer Lacko as he leaves the court having given it his all.
Image source, Getty ImagesA tasty drop shot from Djokovic earns him two match points and the defending champion ends the match as a defending champion should, with an ace down the middle. Djokovic raises his arms in jubilation and gives the crowd a thumbs up.
Djokovic stretches to produce a backhand winner down the line and the Serb is returning everything which Lacko throws at him. Masterful from Djokovic as a forehand winner grazes the baseline, with replays proving that show was in by 0.000001m, for a break point. Another winner drops on the line and Djokovic is a game away from victory.
Lacko adding a bit of variety to his play, advancing to the net and getting the better of Djokovic with an overhead to remain in contention at 30-15. But two big Djokovic serves later and Lacko is back in his chair, staring into the abyss.
Image source, APA booming ace from Lacko reins his opponent in at 15-15, and it's faultless from Lacko from there on with the Slovakian holding to 15. Djokovic fails to keep his backhand return on target in the final point, and Lacko is holding his nerve.
It seems these two will not detain Serena Williams and Ashleigh Barty any longer than is necessary. Lacko has no resistance left and, it seems, the lights have gone out. Djokovic holds to love and closes in on the second round.
Lacko saves one break point by courageously stepping in towards the net for a winning volley. There's only so much pluck in an underdog, though, and the world number 96 gifts Djokovic an early advantage by failing to negotiate the barrier. His shoulders droop and his head drops.
Lacko's curly mane is sopping with sweat as a result of his second-set excursions. Whether he wanted to or not, he has some respite at the start of the third set thanks to some clinical serving from Djokovic. A crosscourt forehand winner secures the Serb a hold to 15. The cameras pick out Boris Becker, but the wily old champion has spotted that the glare of the lens is on him and so remains poker faced, as if to say 'move on, you won't find any emotion here'.
Jeremy Bates
Former British number one on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
"That was a dazzling set of tennis from both men. Lacko pushed Djokovic but you saw why Djokovic is a great champion because he was able to summon his best tennis. You could feel his concentration go up a notch for that tie-break."
Image source, APFirst point to Lacko to steady the nerves, but a crisp forehand from Djokovic draws the defending champion level at 1-1. There's nothing to separate the two 26 year olds as a brilliant forehand volley from the underdog restores parity at 2-2. But a dodgy backhand from Lacko presents Djokovic with a mini break and the Serb leads 4-2 at the change over.
Boris Becker is perched on the edge of the seat, but who knows why the German looks such a worried man because a sublime passing shot secures Djokovic the set. The defending champion turns towards his team and roars.
No real danger of this set not being decided by a tie-break. Silence on Rod Laver as Lacko's backhand drifts long... The crowd perhaps saving themselves for the decider. Djokovic steps in to send a crunching forehand beyond Lacko and we're into a tie-break.