Reigning Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki has marked her return to Rod Laver Arena with a win, defeating Belgian Alison van Uytvanck in straight sets.
The Danish world number three won 6-3 6-4 on Monday night, her first match on Melbourne Park's centrecourt since she lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup last January.
While Wozniacki was a picture of concentration for much of her clash, the emotion flooded in after her first-round victory.
"Last year, I had some incredible memories from here," she said. "It's such a special feeling.
"I love playing back here. I'm going to start crying and I never cry."
Wozniacki needed an hour and 33 minutes to get past the Belgian world number 52. Her serve and overall consistency was the difference.
Wozniacki was never broken, facing just two break points, while recording just 16 unforced errors against a "very tricky" opponent.
"I think she played very well," she said. "The first set was especially a high level.
"I'm was happy to get that early break [in the second serve and then] I was trying to stay focused to win my serves."
For Van Uytvanck, 24, it was a fifth-straight Australian Open appearance where she had lost in the first round, including a 2015 loss to Serena Williams and a double-bagelling by Victoria Azarenka in 2016.
Wozniacki's next assignment will be Sweden's Johanna Larsson, with a possible blockbuster against Maria Sharapova looming in the third round.
AAP
