It was one of the longest women’s singles matches in Australian Open history, and it certainly wasn’t expected on the very first day, but after facing a number of match points, world number four Jelena Jankvoic has won her drama filled first round match.

Lasting three hours and nine minutes, Jankovic defeated one of the rising stars of women’s tennis Austria’s Tamira Paszek 2-6, 6-2, 12-10. The final set alone lasted 116 minutes.

Both Jankovic and Paszek called for the trainer in the final set, which at one stage had nine consecutive breaks of serve.

The hard fought victory now means that Jankovic will play Edina Gallovits of Romania, who defeated Stephanie Dubois 7-6, 6-3.

In other matches played so far today, world number one Justine Henin and seventh seed Serena Williams both had comfortable first round victories, while the two seeded players with completed matches in the men’s draw Jarkko Nieminen and Paul-Henri Mathieu are also through to the second round.

Tags: Australian Open, Tennis