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Stan Wawrinka began the defence of his Australian Open title with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over Marsel Ilhan on Tuesday, taking less than 1 1/2 hours to breeze through the first round.
Wawrinka was barely tested against the No. 100-ranked Ilhan, striking 34 winners and saving the only two break points he faced.
In a breakthrough 2014 season, Wawrinka claimed his first grand slam title, reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 and helped Roger Federer win the Davis Cup for Switzerland for the first time.

Wawrinka warmed up for the season-opening major by defending his title at the Chennai Open.
“It’s great, bringing me a lot of memories from last year,” Wawrinka said of his return to Rod Laver Arena. “It was great to come back here feeling happy, happy with my game.”
Kei Nishikori returned to grand slam action for the first time since his run to the US Open final to beat Nicolas Almagro 6-4, 7-6 (1), 6-2.

The fifth-seeded Nishikori dropped his opening service game but recovered the break quickly and weathered a difficult opening match against Almagro, who reached the quarterfinals in his previous visit to Melbourne Park in 2013.
The Japanese star kept his unforced errors to 21 against Almagro, who ripped more winners – 40 to 30 – but also made 50 unforced errors.
Nishikori is coming off a big year in 2014, when he became the first Asian man to reach a grand slam singles final. He’s determined to go one better and win a major.

“Yeah for sure that was one of my best results in my career that gave me a lot of confidence,” the Japanese star said. “I beat a lot of top 10 players.”
Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka continued her comeback from a foot injury with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Sloane Stephens, the third time in as many years she’s beaten the American at the Australian Open.
“Sloane is a very tricky opponent. It’s a great first round for me to really test my game,” Azarenka said. “I’m happy with what I did today.”
 


Stanislas Wawrinka kicks off Australian Open defence with easy win

Stanislas Wawrinka faced little difficulty in his opener. Photo: EPA

Kei Nishikori celebrates his win. Photo: AP

Victoria Azarenka in action. Photo: AP

Milos Raonic beat Ilya Marchenko. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Tennis

Kei Nishikori gets campaign off to a winning start


Stan Wawrinka began the defence of his Australian Open title with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over Marsel Ilhan on Tuesday, taking less than 1 1/2 hours to breeze through the first round.


Stanislas Wawrinka kicks off Australian Open defence with easy win

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Kei Nishikori gets campaign off to a winning start

Kei Nishikori gets campaign off to a winning start