Australian Open 2016 Schedule: Replay TV Coverage, Live Stream for Monday's Draw
The first Grand Slam of the tennis season began on Monday, as the 2016 Australian Open kicked off at Melbourne Park.
The game's biggest stars are all in attendance, and reigning champions Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams safely negotiated their way through their first-round matches on the opening day.
Djokovic cruised past South Korean ace Hyeon Chung 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Williams also advanced in straight sets against Camila Giorgi, beating the tough Italian 6-4, 7-5 as temperatures soared.
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There was disappointment for former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, who crashed out in three sets against Yulia Putintseva. The Russian prodigy prevailed 1-6, 7-6, 6-4.
Here is how you can watch the tournament in your territory, with replay TV coverage information, and live streaming links for Monday and Tuesday's action:
Where: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia
Watch: Eurosport (UK only) and ESPN (US only)
Full Schedule: AusOpen.com
Monday Recap
Djokovic and Williams progressed without fuss in Monday's first round, as the two premier players of the game both began their attempts to add to their haul of Grand Slam titles.
The Serbian master has looked untouchable in recent months, pushing his performance levels to new heights in 2015, and he looked very comfortable against Chung at the Rod Laver Arena.
The South Korean started well, rallying with Djokovic as he attempted to play his way into the match, but the Serb always had the answers to the questions posed.
Djokovic hit 40 winners and served 10 aces as he turned up the pressure, according to AusOpen.com, winning 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
The defending champion complimented Chung after the match, per ATPWorldTour.com:
"Having to play somebody for the first time, especially somebody that is as young as him, he's only 19, it can be tricky.
Obviously getting out on the court and playing against a player that has nothing to lose. He moves very well, as well. He can play equally well from defence to offence. And he's one of the players that people are talking about as a potential top player in the future.
He's got that potential, no question about it. He needs experience, he needs more time.
"
Williams followed Djokovic's lead in her match, but Giorgi showed strong form to stay with the illustrious American.
The Italian struggled with her serve, though, hitting 12 double faults to allow Williams control, per AusOpen. The mistakes were enough to allow the champion to pull away in both sets, progressing 6-4, 7-5—despite Giorgi's best efforts.
"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 said, per the Associated Press (via LA 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."
It is difficult to look past the top players in the men's and women's game for the first slam of 2016, as Djokovic and Williams have made an art of winning tennis' biggest titles.
However, the American has suffered with injury in recent weeks, and in the heat of the day on the courts Down Under, she could struggle against stronger opposition deep in the tournament.
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