Iga Świątek took time to get going but found her way past Jule Niemeier, beating the German 6-4, 7-5 in the first round of the Australian Open.
In a rematch of their US Open fourth-round meeting where Świątek battled from a set and break down to prevail, the Pole revved up her backhand to save two breakpoints before a nervy hold as Niemeier gave her little room to work the angles.