World number one Inga Swiatek said she needed to find some extra “intensity” to go deeper into the Australian Open after surviving a tough first-round test on Monday.
The 2022 French and US Open champion was far from the fluent best that took him on a 37-match winning streak last season, taking him an hour and a half to see off Jules Niemeyer 6-4, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena. 59 minutes were required.
Swiatek is looking to win the Australian Open for the first time, but after fighting hard in the first set, found herself behind 5-3 in the second and then came up against the German world No. 69.
Swiatek, who made her debut at the Australian Open in 2019, admitted that she needed to increase her focus and was not at her best.