Australian Open officials are breathing a sigh of relief after world No.1 Iga Swiatek scrambled to a tight win over German Julie Niemeier.
On a day they lost men's drawcard Nick Kyrgios to a knee injury, Swiatek looked on shaky ground before she eked out a 6-4 7-5 victory on Monday night.
Swiatek's serve on Rod Laver Arena went AWOL as she trailed 3-5 in the second set against the world No.69.
But the top-seeded Pole won the next four games against the big-hitting Niemeier to seal the win to march into round two.
It was Swiatek's first match since she pulled out of the Adelaide International with a shoulder injury, while she was left in tears after being hammered by American Jessica Pegula in the United Cup.
Swiatek said she relished playing in front of a large crowd at Melbourne Park after two years affected by COVID-19.
"Besides being really nervous, I really enjoyed it," the 21-year-old said.
"You guys (the crowd) are really loud and I loved it.
"It's so different to last year, or two years ago, with COVID.
"I'm pretty happy to get through this match. It was really tricky."
