Australian Open Begins First-Round Play Amid Match-Fixing Allegations

The 2016 Australian Open officially kicked off the first Grand Slam of the tennis season today iat Melbourne Park in Australia. Temperatures were at a scorching high for the first round and saw players struggling with the heat as the day went on. Reigning champions Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams as well as other big names in tennis were all on hand for first round play.

Djokovic beat South Korean ace Hyeon Chung in three straight sets with a scorecard of 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Djokovic had some encouraging words for the young player, saying, “Having to play somebody for the first time, especially somebody that is as young as him, he’s only 19, it can be tricky… He’s got that potential, no question about it. He needs experience, he needs more time.”

Williams took care of business against Camila Giorgi, beating the stern Italian in straight sets with a scorecard of 6-4, 7-5. “I haven’t played a competitive match in a really long time, but I think it was really good for me to come out here,” Williams told the Los Angeles Times. “I was able to stay in it and stay calm today and I think that’s what matters most. I haven’t played in a long time, but I have been playing for 30 years, so it’s kind of—I try to focus on that.”

An upset lost that occurred included former world No. 1 player Caroline Wozniacki, who lost her match against Yulia Putintseva, with the young Russian sealing the victory with a scorecard of 1-6, 7-6, 6-4.

Photo: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 18: Serena Williams of the United States plays a forehand in her first round match against Camila Giorgi of Italy during day one of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 18, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)