(LEFT) Venus Williams (RIGHT) Rafael Nadal (Reuters Photo)
MELBOURNE, January 15 (Reuters): Top-seed Rafa Nadal and world number three Grigor Dimitrov progressed to the second round of the Australian Open with easy victories on Monday while top American contenders were sent packing after shock defeats in the first round.
World number one Nadal cruised to a 6-1 6-1 6-1 win over Dominican Republic's Victor Estrella Burgos while Dimitrov beat Austrian Dennis Novak 6-3 6-2 6-1 to set up second round clashes against Leonardo Mayer and Mackenzie McDonald respectively.
Nicole Gibbs was the only American to progress from the women's draw with last year's finalist Venus Williams, U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens and CoCo Vandeweghe being the most notable Americans to exit on day one at Melbourne Park.
Ryan Harrison and McDonald were the only Americans to progress to the second round of the men's draw with seeded Jack Sock and John Isner crashing out along with surprise early exits from Croatian Borna Coric and South Africa's Kevin Anderson.
Despite the upsets, the competition remains tough with Caroline Wozniacki, Elina Svitolina and Jelena Ostapenko victorious in their first round matches along with top men's players Marin Cilic, Denis Shapovalov and Nick Kyrgios.
Highlights of Monday's opening day of the Australian Open, the first grand slam tournament of the year:
Nadal kickstarts 2018 in style
World number one Rafa Nadal, playing his first competitive match of the year, hit top form as he cruised to a 6-1 6-1 6-1 win over Victor Estrella Burgos of the Dominican Republic.
"It was a long season in 2017 and I was disappointed to not make it in Brisbane. I just needed more time," the Spaniard said.
"I'm happy to be here again. It's a special unique place and one of the best atmospheres on the tour. To be in front of this crowd is so special."
Tsonga notches comfortable win
France's 15th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga put in a solid performance to oust American Kevin King 6-4 6-4 6-1 to set up a second round clash with Canadian youngster Denis Shapovalov.
Kyrgios storms into round two
Australian hope Nick Kyrgios booked a second-round spot with a convincing 6-1 6-2 6-4 victory over Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva.
"I'm just excited to be in Melbourne. A couple of years ago, I made a quarter-final, so hopefully I can go a little bit further this year," Kyrgios, who won the Brisbane title this month, said after the match.
Wozniacki sails through
Second seed Caroline Wozniacki recorded her 101st grand slam victory, beating Romanian Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-2 6-3.
Coco goes bananas
CoCo Vandeweghe received a code violation for time wasting because there were no bananas available at Hisense Arena.
After losing the first set in a tiebreak to Hungarian Timea Babos, the American number 10 seed remained in her seat and argued with chair umpire Fergus Murphy that she should be allowed more time during the break because bananas had not been provided.
"I'm waiting for the bananas," Vandeweghe, who lost the match 7-6(4) 6-2, told the umpire.
Bencic upsets Venus
Last year's runner-up Venus Williams was knocked out in the first round with a 6-3 7-5 defeat by Swiss counter-puncher Belinda Bencic.
Cibulkova bows out
Estonian Kaia Kenepi beat 2014 runner-up Dominika Cibulkova 6-2 6-2 in the first round.
Zhang stuns Stephens
China's Zhang Shuai, who reached the quarter-finals as a qualifier in Melbourne two years ago, roared back from a set and a break down to beat U.S. Open winner Sloane Stephens 2-6 7-6(2) 6-2 on Margaret Court Arena.
"This court is really special for me. I was so excited to get back on here and I think I was really ready. She's a great player but when I arrived in Australia I was ready to play anyone," Zhang said in a court-side interview.
Ostapenko cruises past Schiavone
French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko roared back from 1-4 down in the second set to beat Italian Francesca Schiavone 6-1 6-4.
