World number one Andy Murray didn't have it easy, but battled the conditions and his opponent to book his place in the second round of the Australian Open.
This was Murray's first win since becoming the world's best and he was tested by 95th ranked seed, Illya Marchenko.
Murray defeated the Ukranian 7-5,7-6 (7-5), 6-2 to reach the second round of the competition. Murray has never won the Australian Open and came through blistering heat to win in just under three hours.
"I don't think it was the best match to be honest," he said. "I think the conditions are pretty different to what we've been practicing in and last week was pretty cool. A lot of the days have been overcast and the temperature of the court was much cooler.
"When it's like that, the ball is bouncing a little bit lower and it's a bit easier to control the ball, but I was a bit tentative with that.
"I didn't serve that well either, so you end up having to work very hard on a lot of your service games. It's tough."
Andy Murray hits a backhand return to Ukraine's Illya Marchenko during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Murray also admitted that he's been enjoying his world number one status.
"It's been great and because it took so long to get there, I want to try and stay there. I feel like I'm mature enough now to handle it. If it happens when you're very young, you might feel extra pressure or the responsibilities.
"They might feel a bit much. But because I'm a bit older and a bit more mature, it's been good."
He'll face now face Andre Rublev in the next round of the competition and says the Russian won't fear him.
"I know a little bit about him. I've never played against him but I've seen him play and he really goes for it. He doesn't hold back.
"I saw him play a few years ago at the US Open and I thought he was very good. A clean ball striker. I'm hoping to go in with a good strategy."
Elsewhere, Roger Federer won his first match coming back off of an injury lay-off, beating French Open semifinalist Jurgen Melzer, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2.
Stan Wawrinka avoided defeat against Slovakia's Martin Klizan with a 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 win in Melbourne.
Women's world number one Angelique Kerber beat Lesia Tsurenko 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 and the shock of the round came as American Shelby Rogers defeated number four seed Simona Halep in straight sets, 6-3 6-1.
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