There is a party atmosphere at Melbourne Park as the 2008 Australian Open gets under way

Britain's Andy Murray comes in to the Australian Open as many people's outside tip after winning the Qatar Open

But he is pitted against dangerous young Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the first round

Ninth seed Murray is punished for a slow start as Tsonga establishes a two-set lead

The Scot hits form in the third set, racing through it 6-0, before breaking Tsonga at 4-5 down in the fourth

But Tsonga comes through a tiebreak in the fourth set, winning 7-5 6-4 0-6 7-6 (7-5)

Murray, who will now focus on Davis Cup duties, is left to ponder his earliest Grand Slam defeat since the French Open in 2006

Tsonga, who knocked Tim Henman out of last year's US Open, goes through to face American Sam Warbug in the second round

Murray's fellow Scot Jamie Baker puts up a creditable fight against 20th seed Ivo Karlovic before bowing out in four sets

Defending champion Serena Williams is first on the new blue Plexicushion courts at the Rod Laver Arena

Serena Williams does not have things all her own way against Jarmila Gajdosova but is into round two with a 6-3 6-3 victory

Jelena Jankovic survives an epic tussle with Tamira Paszek. The three-hour match features 15 service breaks

Fans wrap up against the Melbourne cold as Rafael Nadal's night match goes past midnight

Nadal eventually quells a spirited challenge from Grand Slam debutant Viktor Troicki 7-6 7-5 6-1