Sakkari, Bencic, Giorgi and Svitolina through Australian Open openers

The Australian Open has began with multiple winners so far in the WTA draw including Maria Sakkari.

Sakkari, the fifth seed saw off Tatjana Maria in a 6-4, 7-6 victory taking an hour and 46 to fend off her first opposition as a top ten Grand Slam seed for the first time.

Maria tied Sakkari in aces with four, but Sakkari hit 13 more winners than the German to help her clinch two close sets.

Sakkari capitalised on a double fault to seal an opening break en route to the opening set. In the second set, Maria had three break points but could not convert and Sakkari concluded the job.

Elina Svitolina also moved through averting her poor start to the season with a 6-1, 7-6 triumph over Fiona Ferro. While Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic eased past Kiki Mladenovic 6-4, 6-3 and Camila Giorgi saw off Anastasia Potapova 6-4, 6-0.