“There are some few adjustments that I need to make and get a little bit sharper on the court,” said Djokovic, who will next face American Ryan Harrison. “But it’s expected in the first match you’re still not a 100 percent on the court.”

On a packed opening day Australian Open schedule, Novak Djokovic begins his title defense.

Novak Djokovic wins Tennis-X.com player of the year honors while Bernard Tomic steals the inaugural hot tub award.

After Sunday titles, Tomas Berdych and Juan Martin Del Potro moved closer to London berths. Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki ended lengthy title droughts.

Tomas Berdych, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Juan Martin Del Potro looks to enhance their chances for London qualification Sunday while Venus Williams seeks her first WTA title in 2.5 years.

Tommy Haas and Sam Stosur reached match win milestones Thursday. Haas won his 500th career match, Stosur her 400th.

Williams appeared in control in the third, up a break 4-2 when Kerber broke back for 4-3 on serve. Kerber held for 4-4, then Venus for 5-4. Kerber held through a tough game for 5-5, then pressure Venus in the next game to get the break and the 6-5 lead before serving out the match.

Wozniacki hasn’t won a tour title in over a year, and will now have plenty of time to assess her career to date, and make decisions on whether she wants to pair with a coach who can take a more aggressive approach to her game, or continue to bunt balls in and maintain a career in the bottom half of the Top 10.

Sharapova is coming off a few weeks missing play due to a stomach virus, with the pain leading her to take a pregnancy test, which came out negative. Azarenka in a late match rolled over Russian Alexandra Panova 6-1, 6-0.

Federer’s road at the 2012 US Open is (surprise!) not that difficult, with No. 25 Fernando Verdasco in the 3rd round, No. 16 Gilles Simon or No. 23 Mardy Fish in the 4th round, and likely No. 6 Tomas Berdych or No. 27 Sam Querrey in the quarters.