AUSTRALIAN OPEN contenders Maria Sharapova, David Nalbandian and James Blake called for a review of the tournament’s extreme heat policy after battling soaring temperatures to reach the second round.

Number one seed Maria Sharapova reached the second round of the Australian Open after battling through “one of the toughest matches I’ve played here”.

UNLIKE fellow American Robby Ginepri, Andy Roddick knew what to do with a two-set lead.

Defending champion Svetlana Kuznetsova saw her reign brought to a crushing end on the opening day of the US Open at Flushing Meadows but top seed Maria Sharapova had an easy passage into the second round.

Serena Williams fired a warning to those writing off her chances by blasting into the second round of the Australian Open today.

ANDRE AGASSI underlined his intentions for a fifth Australian Open crown yesterday at the same time that Amelie Mauresmo raised her hopes of a maiden grand slam.

Justine Henin-Hardenne has been laid low with a stomach upset and had to battle hard for her second round victory over Camille Pin in the Australian Open.

Justine Henin-Hardenne, the head girl of women’s tennis, taught 15-year-old Australian Olivia Lukaszewicz a harsh lesson about what it takes to mix it with the grown-ups at a grand slam.

World number one Justine Henin-Hardenne taught 15-year-old schoolgirl Olivia Lukaszewicz a harsh lesson about life in a Grand Slam – but not all the seeds were as impressive on the first day of the Australian Open.

Second seed Venus Williams breezed through her second round match at the French Open this afternoon then declared herself satisfied with the work-out.