Agnieszka Radwanska safely through first round at Australian Open

Agnieszka Radwanska made light work of a potential first-round banana skin as she beat Kurumi Nara in straight sets at the Australian Open.

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The sixth seed was expected to be tested by the world number 39, but had little trouble on her way to a 6-3 6-0 victory in Melbourne this morning.

The Pole had to save a break point in the opening game, but could not do so the next time she was on serve as she went 2-1 behind early on.

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However, she would only concede one further game and turned the first set on its head with consecutive breaks to love, before closing it out with one of several precise forehand winners.

Radwanska quickly strengthened her position by going a double break up in the second, having twice got the better in deuce situations, and opened up a 5-0 lead with a further break and two comfortable holds.

Nara missed her own chance to break and get on the scoreboard in the final game of the match, which was concluded when the Japanese sent a return to another impressive Radwanska forehand long.