Fernando Verdasco sent shockwaves through the Australian Open 2016 by defeating Rafael Nadal to send the former world number one crashing out in the tournament's opening round. There were two big upsets in the women's draw, with number two seed Simona Halep losing to Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai and seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams being beaten by British number one Johanna Konta in the first round. Meanwhile, Serena Williams dispelled any doubts about her fitness and form after a four-month break from the game with a tense win over feisty Italian Camila Giorgi.
Men's second seed Andy Murray had a comfortable victory over Germany's Alexander Zverev, while world number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic played in temperatures of 34 Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) to beat South Korean teenager Chung Hyeon. Roger Federer set a record just by showing up and appearing in a record 65th consecutive major, an impressive run that started at the Australian Open in 2000. However, he hasn't won a Grand Slam title since Wimbledon in 2012. Amd in his last Australian Open an emotional Lleyton Hewitt made it through to the second round in the men's singles, beating compatriot James Duckworth.
In this gallery, IBTimes UK presents the best photos from the first round of the 2016 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne.
Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts to his defeat against Spain's Fernando VerdascoThomas Peter/ReutersSpain's Rafael Nadal takes off his shirt during a break in his first round match against Spain's Fernando VerdascoThomas Peter/ReutersRafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his first round loss Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesSweat drips from the nose of Spain's Rafael Nadal during his first round matchThomas Peter/ReutersCaroline Wozniacki of Denmark cools down in her first round match - it didn't help, she lost to Yulia Putintseva of KazakhstanMichael Dodge/Getty ImagesTatsuma Ito of Japan cools down between games in his first round match against Radek Stepanek of the Czech RepublicPat Scala/Getty ImagesMadison Keys of the US uses an ice towel during her women's singles match against Kazakhstan's Zarine DiyasSaeed Khan/AFPSlovakia's Dominika Cibulkova sits covered with a towel during a break in her women's singles match against France's Kristina MladenovicWilliam West/AFPSerbia's Novak Djokovic places an ice pack on his head during a break in his first round match against South Korea's Hyeon ChungJason Reed/ReutersA woman cools herself down as she stands next to a mist fan on day onePeter Parks/AFPA spectator is treated in the stands as Melbourne's weather warms upGreg Wood/AFPA man holds his son up to a cooling fan on the first day of the Australian OpenThomas Peter/ReutersPeople attend to a ball boy who fainted during a promotional event before the start of the Australian OpenIssei Kato/ReutersBall boys are pictured at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne ParkTyrone Siu/ReutersSpain's David Ferrer hits a shot during his first round match against Germany's Peter Gojowczyk - he plays Lleyton Hewitt nextJason Reed/ReutersMilos Roanic of Canada loses his mouthguard in his first round match against Lucas Pouille of FranceQuinn Rooney/Getty ImagesJarmila Wolfe of Australia seeks medical attention in her first round match against Anastasija Sevastova of LatviaMark Kolbe/Getty ImagesGermany's Alexander Zverev receives medical treatment for a bleeding nose during his first round match against Britain's Andy MurrayJason Reed/ReutersAlexander Zverev of Germany shields his eyes from the sun as he takes a break in his first round match against Andy Murray of Great BritainMark Kolbe/Getty ImagesSpain's Feliciano Lopez takes off his wet shirt during a break in his first round win against Britain's Daniel EvansJohn French/ReutersAustralia's Lleyton Hewitt celebrates after winning his first round match against compatriot James DuckworthJason Reed/ReutersSupporters of Australia's Lleyton Hewitt hold flags and signs during his first round match against compatriot James DuckworthThomas Peter/ReutersA fan wearing an Andy Murray mask gestures at Melbourne ParkMark Kolbe/Getty ImagesAndy Murray of Great Britain serves in his first round match against Alexander Zverev of GermanyMark Kolbe/Getty ImagesAndy Murray of Great Britain takes off in his first round match against Alexander Zverev of GermanyMark Kolbe/Getty ImagesSerbia's Novak Djokovic hits a shot during his first round win over South Korea's Hyeon ChungJason Reed/ReutersAustralia's Sam Groth reacts during his first round match against France's Adrian MannarinoIssei Kato/ReutersUkraine's Kateryna Bondarenko hits a return against Australia's Ajla TomljanovicPeter Parks/AFPSwitzerland's Timea Bacsinszky reacts during her first round match against Czech Republic's Katerina SiniakovaJohn French/ReutersMarcos Baghdatis of Cyprus takes the second set in his first round match against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga of FranceDarrian Traynor/Getty ImagesFrance's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga celebrates after winning his first round match against Cyprus' Marcos BaghdatisThomas Peter/ReutersSupporters cheer for Switzerland's Roger Federer after he beat Georgia's Nikoloz BasilashviliSaeed Khan/AFPNick Krygios of Australia chews on his shirt in his first round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of SpainMichael Dodge/Getty ImagesA detail of the necklace worn by Eugenie Bouchard of Canada as she serves in her first round match against Aleksandra Krunic of of SerbiaScott Barbour/Getty ImagesSerena Williams reacts during her first round match against Camila Giorgi at the Australian OpenJason O'Brien/ReutersSerena Williams's shadow is seen as she hits a shot during her first round match against Italy's Camila GiorgiJason O'Brien/ReutersSerena Williams of the US serves during her first round match against Italy's Camila GiorgiJason O'Brien/ReutersAgnieszka Radwanska hands a towel to a ballboy during her women's singles match against Christina MchaleGreg Wood/AFPA view of the Rod Laver Arena during the first round match between Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic and Samantha Stosur of AustraliaCameron Spencer/Getty ImagesBritain's Heather Watson smashes her racquet into the signage during her first round match against Hungary's Timea BabosJason O’Brien/ReutersCanada's Milos Raonic signs autographs after winning his first round match against France's Lucas PouilleBrandon Malone/ReutersKateryna Bondarenko of Ukraine signs autographs for fans in the crowd as she leaves the court after winning her first round match against Ajita Tomljanovic of AustraliaScott Barbour/Getty Images
