Australian Open: Roger Federer, Serena Williams create a field of dreams

Japan’s Naomi Osaka was followed on to court by Serena Williams, who was replaced by Roger Federer on day the big stars shone.

Roger Federer cranks up his serve against American Steve Johnson during round one at the Australian Open. Picture: Michael Klein

Greatness can be fleeting, at least when you’re trying to catch a glimpse of it.

Just ask those lucky enough to secure a ticket to Rod Laver Arena on Monday.

On the court named after the Australian legend, champion after champion stepped out for their opening-round matches in the 2020 Australian Open. And the action was swift.

With Margaret Court watching some of the matches courtside, Japanese star Naomi Osaka was followed on to court by Serena Williams, who was replaced by Roger Federer.

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And as the grey gave way to darkness on a day when torrential rain caused chaos, Ash Barty stepped out as the world’s No 1, with Novak Djokovic beginning his campaign for an eighth Australian Open title in the late night timeslot.

There has scarcely been a procession line like it. Global legends. All superstars in Australia. This was Field of Dreams on a hardcourt in Melbourne, though thankfully these champions are alive and firing.

True greatness is beyond almost everyone.

But then there are those who live it on a daily basis, week after week, from one year to the next or, in the case of Federer and Williams, decade on decade.

The action on Rod Laver Arena was not quite a case of blink-and-you-miss-them but the matches were rapid-fire. If a fan ducked out of centre court for a refreshment, they risked missing half a match.

Margaret Court and husband Barry on centre court during day one of the Australian Open.

The three day-session matches were resolved in under four hours, which is less than some men’s matches last.

Even Court missed a key moment as Williams made her opening move in ominous fashion in her attempt to draw level with the Australian on the grand slam honour board with 24 major titles.

The 38-year-old started her match while the invitees of Tennis Australia president Jayne Hrd­licka were eating in a fancy suite.

The best seat on court? As much as they probably preferred otherwise, it was the fodder served up for the legends to feast upon who had the best view.

Marie Bouzkova. Anastasia Potapova. Steve Johnson.

All are talented players and none were disgraced. But they were ultimately outclassed. For their trouble, they received a $90,000 cheque.

American great Serena Williams dominates during her first-round match at the Australian Open. Picture: AAP

Not one managed to claim a set against the superstars during the day session. Bouzkova fared best, taking four games off Osaka in the second set.

It seems Federer sets a record every time he steps on to the court.

This proved the case again on Monday, with the Swiss playing in his 21st Australian Open. His record in opening rounds in Melbourne? One hundred per cent.

And despite not playing an official match before his clash against Johnson, the six-time Australian Open champion seemed close to the form that saw him succeed most recently in 2017 and 2018. He certainly showed no signs of rustiness against Johnson, who was taking a step from the bush leagues into the big time.

Naomi Osaka on her way to victory over Marie Bouzkova. Picture: Michael Klein

The American has enjoyed a sound professional career but took a step back in level to win a Challenger tournament in Bendigo on Saturday.

The step up in class already looked beyond him before the rain hit Melbourne.

Trailing Federer by a set is daunting for any rival. Doing so when a match is switched indoors? It is usually the tennis version of Mission: Impossible. And the Swiss was on a mission.

Federer stamped his authority early on in every set and was able to cruise thereafter when triumphant 6-3 6-2 6-2.

The second set was a case of execution by excellence. A lesson in brilliance. Johnson was good. But Federer was sublime. And the victory allayed some doubts.

“This was sort of the unknown (and) that can be a little bit scary at times,” he said. “Today there was none of that because I broke early each set and was able to get on a roll (and) play freely after that. Anything I was doing, I felt like I had the game under control.”

Williams was ruthless early against Potapova, claiming the first set in 19 minutes and then showing class when the Russian lifted her game in the second.

Osaka was watched for the first time in a grand slam match by her father Leonard Francois, who had previously stayed away because he was superstitious his presence would affect her.

It did not. The Japanese star produced a strong performance when defeating Bouzkova 6-2 6-4.