Djokovic dazzles, Stosur stunned at Aussie Open tennis

Novak Djokovic made a dazzling start to his Australian Open defence Tuesday as his close rival Andy Murray struggled and home hope Samantha Stosur became the first big name to fall.

World number one Djokovic powered past Italian Paolo Lorenzi 6-2, 6-0, 6-0, in a victory so comprehensive he even won a point with an audacious trick shot between his legs.

By contrast Murray, runner-up to the Serb last year, was embarrassed by a near-identical party-piece from Ryan Harrison before subduing the American 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

But Australia's US Open champion Stosur became a major casualty as she froze in front of her home fans, allowing Romania's Sorana Cirstea to record a famous straight-sets win.

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and glamorous Russian Maria Sharapova, the 2008 Open winner, both started strongly and David Ferrer and Milos Raonic progressed safely in the men's draw.

However, Djokovic looked the pick of the men's players as the Wimbledon and US Open champion launched his pursuit of a third straight grand slam title in style, exemplified by his crowd-pleasing trick shot.

Leading 3-0 in the third and standing on the baseline, Djokovic turned his back to the court and clipped a shot between his legs to the flummoxed Lorenzi, who embarrassingly netted.

It was a sign of overflowing confidence in the Serb, who won 10 of 11 finals and went 70-6 last year -- despite being derailed by injuries after the US Open -- in a season described by some as the best in tennis history.

"I just have more confidence that I'm playing on right now. I just believe that I can win, especially against the biggest rivals in the major events," Djokovic said.

Later, fourth seed Murray, seeking Britain's first grand slam title since 1936, became the first top-four man to concede a set and was occasionally troubled by minor injuries in his match against Harrison.

Stosur, who has only won one match in three tournaments this year, all in Australia, put in an error-strewn performance as she became the latest women's grand slam champion to fail in her very next major.

"There's not any other word for it but a total disappointment," she said.

"It's not through lack of trying or not wanting it or anything like that. I mean, you can't pick the times that you want to play well," Stosur added.

"Of course, I wanted to do very well here. You want it to come right now. I'm thankful that everyone was behind me. I'm sure they will stay behind me.

"That's sport. Unfortunately you can't pick and choose when it's all going to happen for you."

Meanwhile, second seed Kvitova and Sharapova, the world number four, also made convincing starts at sun-drenched Melbourne Park.

As temperatures again climbed past 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), Kvitova raced past Russia's Vera Dushevina 6-2, 6-0 and Sharapova pummelled Argentina's Gisela Dulko 6-0, 6-1 in less than an hour.

Dulko had no answer to the power of Sharapova's ground strokes, her forehand particularly damaging throughout the 58-minute encounter. Sharapova smashed 14 winners past Dulko and forced the Argentine into 22 errors over the two sets.

"I knew I had a tough opponent today," a delighted Sharapova said afterwards. "I focused on every point and took her time away -- she's a player who loves time on the ball."

The Russian fourth seed also showed no signs of a left ankle injury that forced her to withdraw from the Brisbane International two weeks ago.

Estonia's Kaia Kanepi, who won the Brisbane tournament, beat Sweden's Johanna Larsson 6-2, 6-4 to reach the second round.

Japan's Kei Nishikori also came through in three sets against Stephane Robert of France and bullet-serving Canadian Milos Raonic, a winner this month in Chennai, eclipsed Italy's Filippo Volandri for the loss of just six games.

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