SYDNEY, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka opened their Australian Open campaigns with straight sets victories at the Brisbane International tennis tournament on Tuesday.
Djokovic beat Australian world number 73 Rinky Hijikata 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 14 minutes on center court.
The Serbian 10-time Australian Open champion lost only 10 points on his serve and never gave Hijikata a break point opportunity.
"I always expect myself to do well on the court," Djokovic said on court after the match. "Obviously, a win is a win. To start off the new season with a win is very important."
Earlier on Tuesday, Sabalenka -- the world number one and two-time reigning Australian Open champion -- beat Mexico's Renata Zarazua 6-4, 6-0 in 65 minutes.
The powerful-hitting Sabalenka won 51 percent of points when returning serve compared to Zarazua's 28 percent.
It takes her record in Australia since the start of 2023 to 23 wins and one defeat, with the sole defeat coming in the final of the Brisbane International in January 2024.
"It was a tricky start for me but I'm glad that I closed the first set. Then in the second set it felt like whatever I would do would work so I'm really happy with the first win of the season," Sabalenka said.
She will face Kazakhstani 15th seed Yulia Putintseva on Thursday while Djokovic will play against French veteran Gael Monfils.
China's Yuan Yue will play ninth seed Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine on Wednesday afternoon local time.
In the men's draw, second seed and defending champion Grigor Dimitrov will match up against Australian Aleksandar Vukic. Djokovic will again team up with Nick Kyrgios in the men's doubles after winning their first round match on Monday night. ■
