Dellacqua cruises into second round
CASEY Dellacqua says she has no fears about the heatwave predicted to hit Melbourne Park this week.
The Aussie left-hander got off to a great start yesterday, beating Russia's former world No.2 Vera Zvonareva, on the comeback trail after 18 months off with hip and shoulder injuries, 6-2 6-2 in the first round.
Dellacqua has also battled injury in recent years, but she was now fully fit and
ready to take on American Madison Keys in the second round.
"I 100% feel physically as best as I ever have. Since I had my foot surgery a few years ago I have worked really hard every day," she said.
"The hotter the better for me."
Fellow Aussie Sam Stosur also made a winning start, beating the Czech Republic's Klara Zakopalova 6-3 6-4.
Matthew Ebden also moved through to the second round, the Australian downing Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 6-3 7-5 4-6 0-6 6-3, while another Australian, Jarmila Gajdosova, was beaten 6-3 0-6 6-2 by No.9 seed Angelique Kerber.
The highest-ranked player eliminated on day one was women's seventh seed Sara Errana. The Italian lost 6-3 6-2 to Germany's Julia Georges.
