Australian Open 2023 LIVE: Iga Swiatek vs Jule Niemeier latest score and Novak Djokovic injury update

Iga Swiatek took time to get going but found her way past Jule Niemeier, beating the German 6-4 7-5 in the opening round of the Australian Open for a slightly unconvincing start as the firm favourite for the year’s first Grand Slam title.

In a rematch of their US Open fourth-round meeting where Swiatek battled from a set and break down to prevail, the Pole revved up her backhand to save two breakpoints before a nervy hold as Niemeier gave her little room to work the angles.

But the top seed targeted world number 68 Niemeier’s serve to grab the decisive break and with it the opening set, before surrendering serve early in the next only to hit back from 0-2 down to level at 5-5 and seal the victory.

Swiatek, backed to stamp her authority on the women’s game by winning the title vacated by the retired Ash Barty, continues her quest for a fourth major trophy when she meets Colombia’s Camila Osorio in the second round.

Swiatek saved her best tennis for the end of both sets, but was in a tricky spot there with Niemeier serving for the second.

It was a serious examination of the world number one.

Here’s Swiatek: “Besides being really nervous, I really enjoyed that. I feel now it’s a totally different vibe and I’m happy to – almost – get a full house!

“I wanted to focus on myself because I know Jule can serve amazing. She put pressure on me but I had to think about how to push her back. I’m happy I kept this attitude and I’m happy I got through this match. The first match is always trick and Jule was a really tough first match.”

That’s brilliant from Swiatek, stepping across the Niemeier serve and hitting a clean winner down the line on the forehand.

It brings up 30-30 and Swiatek suddenly tightens her game, refusing to miss. Niemeier blinks on the forehand into the net and out of nowhere has match point.

And Swiatek gets it done! She clips the baseline with a looping forehand, and she escapes out of a tricky spot to win 6-4 7-5.

The world No 1 won four games in a row to turn the second set around. That’s what champions do.

And Swiatek now rattles out a hold to love, suddenly reversing the pressure all on Niemeier. From serving for the set, she now has to serve to stay in the match.

A hesitant start from Niemeier sees the 23-year-old push a forehand long, but Swiatek goes wide on the backhand as she steps inside the baseline. That was a chance.

Brilliant return from Swiatek on the Niemeier second serve, attacking with the forehand across court, and the German can’t recover.

And that’s stunning defence from Swiatek, before turning the power against Niemeier on the forehand side!

Two break points: Niemeier’s serve is strong but Swiatek’s return clips the line! From there she takes charge and Niemeier goes long.

That was clutch, again, from Swiatek.

Swiatek is taken to deuce by Niemeier, who went big on the return when facing game point, only to hit the net. It was worth a go, and the German will look to serve it out next and level the match. The first serve will be crucial, as Swiatek has been finding joy attacking the second.

He needed a tiebreak after a rollercoaster third set, but third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas is safely through to the second round after defeating Quentin Halys 6-3 6-4 7-6 (6).

Tsitsipas is often prone to switching off during best-of-five matches, but he got through here.

Niemeier has found a lot of success by firing flat, heavy balls straight up the middle at Swiatek, and is able to get out of a hole at 0-30.

But then Swiatek attacks the Niemeier second serve, crushing the backhand winner down the line to bring up her first break point of the set.

Niemeier stays cool and connects with back-to-back winners on her serve, each set up by the serve.

She gets out of trouble with a brilliant serve down the T – a big hold, and now Swiatek will serve to stay in the second set.

Impressive from Niemeier after facing deuce on her serve. She finds a bomb down the middle before putting away the forehand winner, and then on game point mixes it up with a deft drop shot. She’s still yet to face a break point in this second set.