GRAND slams are often about the survival of the fittest - and there was little doubt at the end of a gruelling two weeks that Amelie Mauresmo was just that.

VENUS WILLIAMS flew 15,000km to shop, plug her sponsors and play one tennis match. And as matches go, it was a stinker.

Venus Williams’ Australian Open campaign has come to an abrupt halt with the 10th seed falling 2-6 6-0 9-7 to Bulgarian teenager Tszvetana Pironkova in the opening round.

Third seed and last year's runner-up Lleyton Hewitt will begin his quest for the Australian Open title with a first round match against Czech Robin Vik.