The first round has now been completed and one top 10 player has already bit the dust!
(Rank/Seed)
7/3 Errani had to deal with more than just an ordinary opponent as she faced compatriot, doubles partner and close friend (12/-) Vinci, who she had lost to in their last couple of meetings. After edging a tight first set, Errani took advantage of her wilting opponent to move into the second round with a 64 62 win.
Russian, (23/-) Makarova continued her impressive upset resume in Australia with a 64 62 triumph over in form yet surprisingly out of sorts (8/4) Jankovic. Ekaterina played superbly considering she hadn't played a match since the US Open due to a wrist injury. Despite the blustery conditions, she hit 8 aces and 23 winners compared to only 19 unforced errors. Jankovic, who played so well in Brisbane, in contrast didn't adapt well as she was often kept off balance by both the weather and her opponent, causing her to rant in her coach/brother's direction. She hit a mere 12 winners in contrast to a staggering 31 unforced errors and lost her serve 5 times. This marks a 5th straight year in which Jankovic has failed to reach the quarter finals in Sydney.
9/5 Kerber battled for over two hours to subdue Slovakia's Cibulkova 76(5) 75, whom she had never beaten in 3 previous attempts, including the semis right here last year. Kerber scrapped and nullified the incredible shot making of her diminutive opponent, recovering from 0-3 and 3-5 down in the tiebreaker and then refocusing after missing out on her first two match points having led 5-3 in the second set.
10/6 Wozniacki made a shaky start to the year after her recent shoulder injury and potentially distracting engagement to golfer Rory Mcilroy, recovering to beat German lucky loser Goerges 36 62 64. Goerges has always been Wozniacki's nemesis, winning their last 3 meetings since 2011! However, her ranking has dropped lately due to injury and inconsistency and despite her strong start with many winners and strong serving, her unforced errors ultimately proved her undoing against the steady Dane.
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