Australian Open 2021 day two: Barty through, Konta and Tsitsipas kick off campaigns – live!

Nadal and Djere are out on court, but let’s quickly catch up on today’s major events so far.

We’re two matches in on Rod Laver Arena; both were over in two sets, but the results for Sofia Kenin and Elina Svitolina barely tell the tale of the tape. The record books will show defending champion Kenin beat Australian wildcard Maddison Inglis in straight sets, but it wasn’t a walk in the park for this year’s fourth seed. Inglis broke twice and had a 3-1 lead early on before pushing Kenin all the way in the American’s 7-5, 6-4 win.

“Obviously she’s playing the defending champion, so of course she’s more loose,” Kenin said afterwards. “I obviously am tight. I wasn’t there 100% mentally. But a win is a win and I’ll take it.”

Likewise it was far from straight forward for fifth seed Svitolina, who eventually wrapped up victory over Marie Bouzková 6-3, 7-6, but had to dig very deep in what was a thorough examination of her credentials.

Twice former champion Victoria Azarenka was bounced out as the inexperienced Jessica Pegula came from behind to win after the Belarusian led 5-2 in the first set. Azarenka, who appeared to have trouble breathing, had to take a medical timeout in the second before eventually losing 7-5, 6-4.

Paula Badosa, who contracted Covid-19 in the lead-up to the tournament, also bowed out, losing 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 7-5 to Russian qualifier Liudmila Samsonova.

Elsewhere, the former world No 1 Garbiñe Muguruza eased into the second round with a 6-4 6-0 win over Russia’s Margarita Gasparyan while Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic needed three sets to see off Lauren Davis of the US.

“I feel it’s an issue of maturity,” Muguruza said. “Tennis players never relax, no matter which round, which tournament. I feel like now I approach it differently. I accept the fact that it can go wrong. I’m more open to adaptation, to uncertainty.”