Amidst the rain and the smoke, the second day of the first Grand Slam Australian Open has started and there is a continuous upsurge. On the second day of the tournament, where Indian tennis player Prajnesh suffered the first round defeat, Russian star and former Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova also suffered a defeat. 5-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova lost in straight sets in the first round. The former world number one Sharapova was defeated by 19th seed Donna Vekich of Croatia 6-3, 6-4. Sharapova, who was the 2008 champion here, got a wildcard, she is constantly battling for form and fitness after returning from a ban charged with consumption of a banned drug. Last year, she could not play most of the tournament due to a shoulder injury. She has been eliminated from the first round in three consecutive Grand Slams.

For your information, let us tell you that Britain's number one female tennis player Johanna Konta lost 4-6 2-6 to the 78th ranked Tunisian player in the first round. The journey of 12th seeded Konta, returning from injury, ended within an hour. Second seed Karolina Pliskova defeated Kristina Ladenovich 6–1, 7–5 to reach the second round. Seven-time Grand Slam champion 39-year-old Venus once again could not overcome 15-year-old Coco Gough. American sensation Coco defeated compatriot Venus 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 in the first round.

Rafael Nadal, the world's number one tennis player, started his campaign in a brilliant style. In just five games in a one-sided match, Nadal beat opposition Hugo Delien 6–2, 6–3, 6–0. The Spanish tennis player will be eyeing Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slam Awards.

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