Venus Williams made a triumphant return to tennis at the Australian Open today but the maelstrom of misery which has engulfed Britain's Greg Rusedski continued.
Third seed Williams was all smiles at Melbourne Park despite not having played a tournament since losing the Wimbledon final to sister Serena last July. The former world number one looked as sharp as ever as she thumped fellow American Ashley Harkleroad 6-2 6-1 in the first round.
"Oh, yes, I'm back now," she giggled, before saying she was missing the absent Serena, who also beat her in the final here last year. "It's not the same without her," she smiled, "we are like bread and butter."
British number two Rusedski had hoped to let his tennis finally do the talking after his positive test for the banned steroid nandrolone hogged all the headlines in the past two weeks. However, a lacklustre performance against 26th seed Albert Costa saw him eliminated 6-4 6-3 6-4.
The Canadian-born left-hander blamed his performance on illness. "It was difficult because Saturday I had a fever and have had gastroenteritis," he said. "That's what made it difficult today, to be honest with you I had a heavy fever, it wasn't the ideal preparation."
Rusedski, who admitted earlier this month that he had tested positive for nandrolone at a tournament in Indianapolis last July, says he will be cleared of any wrongdoing at a hearing in February.
He insisted his off-court troubles had not affected him. "No, it had nothing to do with today. I've just got to wait and see how my tribunal goes, just go from there."
Wimbledon champion Roger Federer put his shaky early season form behind him with a tidy performance against up-and-coming American Alex Bogomolov. The Swiss second seed had looked far from convincing during the Kooyong International last week, losing to Andre Agassi and struggling against Thomas Johansson.
Today everything clicked as he romped home 6-3 6-4 6-0. Federer has yet to progress past the fourth round of the Australian Open in four previous visits to Melbourne. This time round the stylish Swiss is the bookmakers' favourite "Straight sets in the first round is a good start," he said.
Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt suffered no problems, though, strolling into round two when a freak injury forced Cecil Mamiit to pull out. Australian Hewitt was leading 6-2 6-4 when Mamiit ran into the umpire's chair chasing a drop shot and hurt his right ankle. He lasted only one more game before calling it quits.
Third seed and French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero did not hang about, pounding fellow Spaniard Albert Montanes 6-0 6-1 6-1 for a resounding victory.
Women's second seed Kim Clijsters faces Marlene Weingaertner to open the night session at Melbourne Park later today and home hope Mark Philippoussis faces 2002 champion Thomas Johansson of Sweden.