Carlos Alcaraz made a winning return to the Australian Open on Tuesday but the Spanish second seed faced some early resistance from French veteran Richard Gasquet before cruising to a 7-6(5), 6-1, 6-2 victory in the opening round.

The muscular 20-year-old, who skipped last year’s tournament with a right leg issue, appeared overly exuberant at times as he sought quick progress at Melbourne Park but composed himself to grind down his seasoned opponent and blow him away.

“It’s always great to play here in Australia, it’s the third time that I’m playing here,” said Alcaraz, who will meet Italian Lorenzo Sonego in the second round.

Iga aces Kenin test

Iga Swiatek came through an opening test of fire in her hunt for a first Australian Open title on Tuesday as the world No.1 battled past 2020 champion Sofia Kenin 7-6(2), 6-2 while blazing heat and blustery conditions made things difficult for players.

Four years after Swiatek won the pair’s only previous meeting in the French Open final, the 22-year-old twice fought back from a break down to claim the opening set in a tie-break on a sweltering Rod Laver Arena.

The four-time major champion broke American Kenin for a 3-2 lead in the next set.

Kenin, who has battled injuries, illness as well as off-court issues in recent years, fought on bravely but top seed Swiatek stretched her advantage and pulled away for victory.

Up next for Swiatek is 2022 finalist Danielle Collins, who beat former champion Angelique Kerber 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.

Rybakina advances

Third seed Elena Rybakina made a slow start but shifted into top gear when it mattered to down tricky Czech Karolina Pliskova 7-6(6), 6-4.

Broken to open the contest on Rod Laver Arena as her serve faltered and 6-3 down in the first-set tie-break, Rybakina showed great fight to get back in the contest and finish it in two sets.

Double Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka was also made to work hard by Italian Camila Giorgi before the 18th seed from Belarus prevailed 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.

Emma Raducanu spoke of finally being pain free as she began her campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of American Shelby Rogers. Russian 14th seed Daria Kasatkina overcame American Peyton Stearns 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 but she struggled with the weather.

“It’s windy and it’s hot, so it was difficult to control the ball,” said Kasatkina.

‘Much nicer’

At least one player was enjoying the weather, Norwegian 11th seed Casper Ruud basking in the sunshine during a routine 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 win over Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

“It’s minus 20 back home, so it’s quite a change. It’s much nicer to be in the warm summer weather,” said Ruud.

Holger Rune needed four sets and more than three hours to get the job done against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka as the Danish eighth seed wrapped up a 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 victory.

Alexander Zverev won his opening match a day after being ordered to stand trial later this year in an assault case in Germany. The sixth-seeded Zverev dropped the first set before rallying to beat fellow-German Dominik Koepfer 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-3.

Yuki-Haase lose

India’s Yuki Bhambri and his Dutch partner Robin Haase squandered three match points in the deciding set to go down 6-1, 6-7 (8-10), 6-7 (7-10) against Nicolas Barrientos of Colombia and Rafael Matos of Brazil in men’s doubles first round.