Novak Djokovic was given a hero's welcome as he returned to the Australian Open with a straight-sets victory over Roberto Carballes Baena.
Rod Laver Arena was full of Serbian flags in support of the nine-time champion, who was playing his first match of the 2023 tournament at Melbourne Park following last year’s vaccine-related deportation.
Appearances he had made at the warm-up event in Adelaide and at a charity hit with Nick Kyrgios on Friday had very much indicated that would be the case, with all parties apparently happy to move on from one of tennis’ more unedifying chapters.
Djokovic’s fans chanted his name as he made his entrance onto court and throughout a routine 6-3 6-4 6-0 victory over Spaniard Carballes Baena.
"Unbelievable atmosphere, thank you so much for staying," Djokovic said to the crowd. "Thank you for giving me such a welcoming reception I could only dream of.
"I feel very happy that I’m back in Australia and back on this court. I couldn’t ask for a better start to the tournament."
The main question mark ahead of the match had been about the condition of Djokovic’s left hamstring, which he hurt in Adelaide and which has continued to cause him trouble.
It was heavily strapped, and there were a few moments where he looked uncomfortable, but he moved well and struck the ball with his customary crispness from the baseline, ending the contest with 41 winners.
Carballes Baena, ranked 75, offered plenty of resistance in the first two sets, with Djokovic having to recover from 0-40 at 2-2. But that proved to be the only real moment where he was on the back foot and he raced through the third set, losing only four points.
Andy Murray rolled back the years with an epic five-set win over Matteo Berrettini.
Bidding to beat a top-20 player at a grand slam for the first time since his hip problems began in 2017, Murray won the opening two sets before Berrettini fought back to level in a dramatic fourth-set tie-break.
The Italian 13th seed created a match point in the 10th game of the deciding set but dumped a simple backhand into the net with the court wide open and Murray held on to force a deciding tie-break.
A gruelling first point won by the Scot set the tone and Murray, who moved superbly, was able to celebrate a stunning 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-7 (7-9) 7-6 (10-6) victory after four hours and 49 minutes.
Murray said in his on-court interview: "I'll be feeling this this evening and tomorrow but right now I'm just unbelievably happy and very proud of myself.
"I’ve put a lot of work into the last three months with my team, to give me the opportunity to perform in stadiums like this and matches like this and it paid off tonight.
"That’s the first time I’ve ever played one of those 10-point tie-breakers and it’s a bit different. He came back really strong and I was a bit lucky at the end with the net-cord.
"He was serving unbelievably and he’s a brilliant competitor as well, he always fights right to the end. I did well to get through."
Alexander Zverev earned the first victory of his comeback in gruelling fashion, beating Peru’s Juan Pablo Varillas 4-6 6-1 5-7 7-6 (7-3) 6-4.
The German, seeded 12, was playing only his third match since suffering an ankle injury in a fall during his French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal last June.
"I am extremely happy because I missed this over the past seven months," Zverev said.
"This match alone pays off for all the hard work and suffering that I have had. To win in front of this kind of crowd again… I can’t wait for the rest of the tournament. No matter what happens from now, the tournament is already a success for me."
Alex De Minaur is now the great Australian hope following Nick Kyrgios’ withdrawal and he was a comfortable 6-2 6-2 6-3 winner over Hsu Yu-hsiou.
"I know what is asked from me," the 23-year-old said. "I know that at times I’ve got some pressure on myself to deliver. I take it with pride ultimately."
Former finalist Dominic Thiem continues to find things tough nearly a year after returning from a serious wrist injury and he fell to a 6-3 6-4 6-2 loss against fifth seed Andrey Rublev.
Eighth seed Taylor Fritz dropped a set against Nikoloz Basilashvili but recovered to win 6-4 6-2 4-6 7-5, while exciting young Dane Holger Rune eased to a 6-2 6-3 6-4 triumph over Filip Krajinovic.
Miomir Kecmanovic lost to qualifier Nicolas Jarry, with the Chilean prevailing 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-3), while Dan Evans defeated Argentina's Facundo Bagnis 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-4.
