Kerber begins Australian Open campaign with straight sets win against Hercog

Title contender Angelique Kerber started her Australian Open campaign with a straight-forward 6-2 6-2 victory against Slovenia's Polona Hercog on Monday. The 2016 Australian Open winner will play Brazilian qualifier Beatriz Haddad Maia in the second round in a battle between two left-handed counter-punchers. Kerber minimised her time under the hot sun on Monday, where temperatures surpassed 30 degrees celsius (86°F) during the day-time matches in Melbourne, securing the straight sets win in just over an hour.