Australian Open 2013: Day 1 in Pics

The opening day of the 2013 edition of the Australian Open saw the top seeds make their mark as the Grand Slam season began. (AP & AFP Photos)

Novak Djokovic started his title defense in grand style packing off Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-2, 6-4, 7-5 to cruise into the second round.

Maria Sharapova did not allow her opponent even the slightest breathing space beating Olga Puchkova 6-0, 6-0.

Galina Voskoboeva could not match up to the speed of Venus Williams with the latter winning the match 6-1, 6-0.

Somdev Devvarman proved a point after having been left out of the Davis Cup team as he overcame Bjorn Phau in four sets to take the match 7-8, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

Agnieszka Radwanska had a tough fight in the first set against Bojana Bobusic but rallied back to win it and take the second set with relative ease winnning 7-5, 6-0.

Tomas Berdych had a fight on his hands in his second set with Michael Russell. However he finished the game in three sets taking the honours 6-3, 7-5, 6-3.

Li Na's dreams to win the Australian Open started on the right note with her beating Sesil Karatantcheva 6-1, 6-3.

Samantha Stosur dispatched Kai-Chen Chang in straight sets to take the match 7-6, 6-3.

Angelique Kerber made short work of Elina Svitolina beat her 6-2, 6-4 and book her place in the second round.

Janko Tipsarevic was tested by Lleyton Hewitt in all the three sets but after winning the first set via a tie-breaker there was no stopping him as he took the match 7-6, 7-5 6-3.