Australian Open: Iga Swiatek downs Katerina Siniakova in opener

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Iga Swiatek booked her place in the second round of the Australian Open with a straight sets defeat of Katerina Siniakova. Swiatek won 6-3 6-4 at John Cain Arena on Monday to start her campaign in convincing fashion.

The Pole, whose best run at Melbourne Park came when she reached the semi-finals in 2022, wrestled control of the first set with successive breaks to go 4-2 and then 5-3 up.

Siniakova was broken again at the start of the second set, and though the Czech regained her composure, another decisive break from the world number two paved the way for Swiatek to serve out to love to seal victory. Swiatek will now face Rebecca Sramkova in round two.

Data Debrief: One of a kind

Swiatek is the only woman to have progressed to the second round of the singles at each of the 20 grand slams played since 2020.

Indeed, the 23-year-old has won 23 of her 24 opening-round matches at the majors, while she is one of just three players to have progressed from her first tie at the Australian Open over each of the past six seasons, along with Elise Mertens and Danielle Collins.