Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek powered into the second spherical of the Australian Open as Germany's Alexander Zverev put apart authorized worries at house to progress.

World quantity two Alcaraz was electrical below the lights on Rod Laver Arena, demolishing French veteran Richard Gasquet 7-6 (7/5), 6-1, 6-2 in his first aggressive match of the yr.

The Spaniard, gunning to unseat 10-time champion Novak Djokovic from the world primary spot, was examined in a decent first set however then moved by way of the gears, showcasing his full vary of shot-making.

Alcaraz, who will subsequent face Italy's Lorenzo Sonego, mentioned it was good to be again in Melbourne, the place he has not been past the third spherical in his earlier two visits.

He missed final yr's match by way of damage.

"In the first set I struggled a little with his game," he mentioned. "He was playing great but I played better and better and at the end I reached quite a good level."

The 20-year-old, clad in a sleeveless yellow T-shirt, admitted he generally tries to play "impossible shots", together with volleys and dropshots, to please his followers.

Swiatek run

Earlier, Swiatek survived a tricky check in opposition to former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin to progress.

The Polish world primary got here by way of 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 in opposition to the participant she beat to win her first Grand Slam title, on the French Open in 2020.

In-form Swiatek, 22, twice got here again from a break down in a gruelling first set lasting 68 minutes however stepped on the gasoline within the second set, successful the ultimate 5 video games to complete with a flourish.

The four-time main winner, now on a 17-match successful streak, subsequent faces unseeded American Danielle Collins, who beat former winner Angelique Kerber.

"It wasn't the easiest first round. She played really well. I tried to find my rhythm, especially in the first set," mentioned the highest seed, who owns three Roland Garros crowns and one other on the US Open.

"I'm happy at the end of the set I could win the most important points."

Zverev took to Margaret Court Arena within the night in opposition to fellow German Dominik Koepfer below the shadow of a looming courtroom case.

The world quantity six will go on trial on the finish of May for allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend in 2020.

Zverev, who has strenuously denied the allegations, is accused of "physically abusing a woman and damaging her health during an argument", in accordance with the courtroom.

The German, who beat Koepfer in 4 units, mentioned he sees no purpose to step down as an ATP Tour participant consultant over the difficulty, believing gamers had confidence in him.

"I mean, I think so," he mentioned. "Nobody has said anything to me. I don't have a reason not to believe that."

Third seed Elena Rybakina, now firmly established within the girls's elite, overcame a sluggish begin and saved three set factors to beat former world primary Karolina Pliskova 7-6 (8/6), 6-4.

The 2022 Wimbledon champion, final yr's crushed finalist, will face unseeded Russian Anna Blinkova within the second spherical.

Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu mentioned it was "amazing to be playing pain-free" after a formidable 6-3, 6-2 win over American Shelby Rogers.

The British participant, 21, surprised the tennis world when she triumphed at Flushing Meadows in 2021 however her file since then is patchy and she or he has solely simply returned from a injury-enforced eight-month break.

"I had pain for so long, " mentioned Raducanu, who faces China's unseeded Wang Yafan within the second spherical. "I was playing since before the US swing in 2022 all the way before surgery."

There had been additionally wins for former US Open champion Sloane Stephens, fifth seed Jessica Pegula and American twenty seventh seed Emma Navarro, recent from her Hobart triumph.

On the boys's aspect, Danish eighth seed Holger Rune got here by way of in 4 units in opposition to Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka, whereas eleventh seed Casper Ruud and Britain's Cameron Norrie additionally progressed.

Veteran Grigor Dimitrov, who ended a six-year title drought in Brisbane this month, recovered from a rocky begin to get the higher of Marton Fucsovics in 4 units.