Champion Wozniacki through to second round with comfortable win

MELBOURNE (Reuters): Caroline Wozniacki launched her title defence at the Australian Open with a comfortable 6-3 6-4 win against Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck in the first round on Monday.

“I think it was a good match in general. I was surprised at the consistency she had. I think she played extremely well,” Wozniacki told reporters. “She really stepped it up with her serves I feel like in the second set. I was just happy I got the win. It was not an easy one.”

The 24-year-old Van Uytvanck, ranked 52, troubled Wozniacki with some well-disguised drop shots in the beginning but did not have enough to register her maiden win at Melbourne Park in her fifth appearance in both singles and doubles.

Former world number one Wozniacki, who is battling rheumatoid arthritis, was pleased she could reach the drop shots as the match progressed.