The first day of the 2010 Australian Open begins with an unfamiliar sight at Melbourne Park - fans sheltering under umbrellas from a series of rain showers
The rain is heavy enough to delay the first matches on the outside courts while pools of water are cleared off the playing surface
But tennis fans at the first Grand Slam of the year remain in buoyant mood and the roof at the Rod Laver Arena means they do not have to wait to see play get under way
Maria Sharapova, the 2008 champion, does not have to worry about the weather as she gets the tournament under way against compatriot Maria Kirilenko
Kirilenko, a childhood friend of Sharapova, soon shows she means business, fighting back from 4-2 down in the first set to lead 5-4
Sharapova, who missed last year's Australian Open with a shoulder injury, struggles with her serve and a series of unforced errors see her lose the first set in a tie-break
But the 14th seed is known for her tenacity and she responds in trademark style to battle back to take the second set
Kirilenko, however, is not done yet and, with her opponent still struggling for consistency, the world number 58 raises her game to book her place in round two
Last year's runner-up Dinara Safina - also sheltered from the elements on the Hisense Arena - is another seed to have problems, as she struggles against Magdalena Rybarikova but eventually comes through 6-4 6-4
Kim Clijsters, the 15th seed, has far fewer problems as she brushes aside Valerie Tetreault 6-0 6-4 in just over an hour to reach round two
Britain's Elena Baltacha is another winner, and screams in celebration after coming through a closely-fought three-set battle with France's Pauline Parmentier
With the rain still falling and disrupting play at Melbourne Park, British number one Andy Murray begins his bid for his first Grand Slam title under the roof at Rod Laver Arena
Murray is up agains 6ft 8in South African qualifier Kevin Anderson, and makes a great start by winning the opening five games as he speeds to the first set
Murray stays in control of the match throughout, despite struggling with his first serve, and completes an easy 6-1 6-1 6-2 victory in one hour and 40 minutes
Andy Roddick has to contend with 45-minute delay while the roof of Hisense Arena is closed but still races to victory against Thiemo de Bakker
Defending champion Rafael Nadal secures a 7-6 (7-0) 6-1 6-4 win over Peter Luczak in the night match on Rod Laver. He struggles early on and trails the Australian 5-3 in the first set, but fights back well
Justine Henin's comeback gathers pace as she proves too strong for fellow Belgian Kirsten Flipkens, winning 6-4 6-3 in only her second tournament following an 18-month break from the game
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