Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen fought her way into the second round of the Australian Open with a 7-6(3) 6-1 win over Anca Todoni on Sunday as crowds flocked through the gates at Melbourne Park for the first Grand Slam of 2025.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka opens her bid for a hat-trick of Australian Open title on Sunday, along with Alexander Zverev and Britains Sonay Kartal

Grand Slam winners' checks are some of the richest in the sport, but proportionally the players get a rawer deal than their counterparts.

Nick Kyrgios says he is good for tennis and the sport will get a boost from his return to Grand Slam action at the Australian Open.

The fans were sent scurrying for cover inside the first hour when a dramatic thunderstorm swept across the area.

The first round of the Australian Open continues on Monday at Melbourne Park where top seed and defending champion Jannik Sinner seeks a third Grand Slam title while Novak Djokovic begins his quest for a record-extending 25th major.

Nick Kyrgios faces another injury setback in his planned return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open after an abdominal strain forced him to withdraw from an exhibition with Novak Djokovic this week.

The Australian Open began in a hurry with the defending women's champion Aryna Sabalenka in action.Sabalenka – shooting for her third consecutive title at Melbourne Park – moved past US Open 2017 champion Sloane Stephens in straight sets.