Tennis-Swiatek raises intensity to quell Niemeier in testing opener

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 16, 2023 Poland's Iga Swiatek in action during her first round match against Germany's Jule Niemeier REUTERS/Carl Recine

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Iga Swiatek took time to get going but found her way past Jule Niemeier, beating the German 6-4 7-5 in the opening round of the Australian Open on Monday for a slightly unconvincing start by the firm favourite for the year's first Grand Slam title.

Having also been put through the wringer by the big-hitting Niemeier in their previous meeting, Swiatek raised her game when needed to avoid becoming only the second top seed to fall at the Australian Open's first hurdle after Virginia Ruzici in 1979.