Top seeds Serena Williams and Lleyton Hewitt were given tough games by two underdogs at the Australian Open today before scraping into the next round.
Williams, chasing a "Serena Slam" with victory in Australia to add to her French, US and Wimbledon titles won last season, found herself out-thought and out-fought for long periods of her match against France's Emilie Loit.
Employing some clever shot variation to move the powerful American around the court, world number 56 Loit reduced Williams to obscenity-screaming at one stage.
Williams, who was given a code violation for her verbal barrage, eventually came through to win 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 in a gruelling two-hour, three-minute tussle. Williams now faces Belgium's Els Callens in the second round on Thursday.
Hewitt, who carries Australia's hopes for its first Open winner since 1976, was taken to five sets by Swedish qualifier Magnus Larsson.
The 32-year-old Larsson's booming forehand caused problems for Hewitt before his superior fitness told and he secured a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2 win. Hewitt will now play compatriot Todd Larkham in the next round.
Back in the ladies' draw, Belgian Kim Clijsters, who revelled in the vocal support of the Australian fans to cruise into the second round.
Clijsters, who was later among spectators as boyfriend Hewitt battled against Larsson, breezed past the United States' Samantha Reeves 6-2, 6-1.
Elsewhere sixth seed Roger Federer was made to work hard as he came through a three-hour tie with Brazil's Flavio Saretta, winning 7-6 (7/4), 7-5, 6-3.
Another Brazilian, Gustavo Kuerten, won a testing encounter with Morocco's Hicham Arazi, winning 6-4, 7-6 (10/8), 6-3. Last year's finalist Marat Safin, seeded three, overcame Raemon Sluiter of The Netherlands 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
AFP