It doesn't seem like twelve months have passed since the last Australian Open. It seems like just yesterday. But the Centenary Championships are off and running. It was left to Serena Williams the champion from 2003, and who missed the tournament last year, to open the program on the wonderful Rod Laver Arena. The seventh seeded American wasted no time in demolishing the French player Camille Pin 61 61 and said that she was thrilled to be back at an arena she enjoys and on a court that she really likes to play on.

Serena Williams in competition

It was left to Serena Williams the champion from 2003, and who missed the tournament last year, to open the program on the wonderful Rod Laver Arena. The seventh seeded American wasted no time in demolishing the French player Camille Pin 61 61 and said that she was thrilled to be back at an arena she enjoys and on a court that she really likes to play on.

Williams was a little nervous before the match but once the first game was out of the way she was totally at ease and comfortable with her surroundings.

It has been some time since Serena played a tournament. The last one was the WTA Championships in Los Angeles in November whenshe lost in the final to Maria Sharapova. Serena completed that match but she did need treatment for severely strained stomach muscles which she rested in the off-period. Physically she is now fine.

"I definitely wouldn't be here if I didn't think I was one of the leading contenders," said Williams.

"I'd rather stay at home. I always see myself as someone that's coming here for seriousness and to win the tournament."

World number one and top seed Roger Federer of Switzerland in competition

There was nothing funny about the way Roger Federer played as he opened the defense of his crown against Fabrice Santoro. The world No. 1 barely raised a sweat as he advanced 6-1, 6-1, 6-2.

"I think the start of the match was important and that set the tone for the rest," said Federer. "I never really gave him a chance to get back into the match. So best of five, an easy threesetter sometimes they look very, very easy, but I always had the feeling I still had to play some good points to win them, especially against him. But I'm happy with my performance and that's what counts in the end."

At one stage of the match, between points, Federer took a stance like a cricketer. He was amused that it was actually noticed and the Swiss said he had never played the game.

"I've got a good technique then," smiled Federer. "(Maybe I could) get a few nice balls from some players, that would be fun to see how it is for a change."

Andre Agassi showed no effects of the hip injury that was a matter of concern coming into the tournament and the four time winner moved past unheralded German qualifier Dieter Kindlmann 6-4,6-3,6-0.

"I woke up feeling the best yet since it happened," said Agassi."And with the assurance that I'm not going to sort of pull anything bad, I had the green light to push through anything I might be feeling. That's what I did, I just pushed through a bit of stiffness, and then I felt like it loosened up nicely and I wasokay."

Agassi said it was a good start for him but acknowledges he hasto step it up from here.

The day's biggest upset was that of the men's fifth seed and a former finalist, Carlos Moya who was sent packing by countryman Gullermo Garcia-Lopez 7-5, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. Moya said it was a match that got away from him. He had many chances especially in the first set 3-1 and then served for it at 5-4, but played a shocking game.

"I lost control a little bit and I lost the rhythm and made many mistakes with my forehand," said Moya."Once he got the first set, he started to play better and I played worse and worse. Then I didn't have a chance. He was playing better than me."

He is extremely disappointed but can't explain why he lost it because he had enjoyed a good preparation by winning the tournament in India.

Maria Sharapova, seeded four this year, cruised to victory overBulgarian Sesil Karantantcheva 6-3, 6-1 and the US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova became the first winner of this year's tournament when she crushed American Jessica Kirkland 6-1, 6-1. And yet another Russian seed, number nine, Vera Zvonareva also hada win, she beat China's Liu Nannan.

And in the first evening match of the tournament,the second seed quashed any suggestions that she maybe lacking match fitness by soundly beating Samantha Stosur who was coming off a run of reaching back-to-back finals. Mauresmo, with her left thigh heavily strapped, advanced 6-2, 6-3.

Source: Xinhua