Katie Boulter, the British No 1, speaking ahead of her return to the Australian Open.

“I’m feeling pretty relaxed actually. Looking forward to starting a new season. I feel like I’ve put so much work in this last year, last couple of years. Going into this one, I’m excited for what’s to come.

“I feel like I’m building something. I think the start of my year has shown that already. Hopefully I can keep that momentum going. I feel like my belief is growing every single day.

“I think now it’s about making it each week that I’m playing at that level. I feel like with the physicality that I’ve tried to bring to my game.

“I think that’s going to become more and more consistent rather than having it for one week, then not having it for a couple weeks.”

Katie Boulter enjoyed a strong 2024 season by winning two titles and reaching another final on the WTA Tour to climb to a career-high ranking of 23. The 28-year-old is the highest British seed on the women’s draw, but improving her showings at the grand slams will be a big target ahead of 2025. Last season, Boulter did not progress past the second round of a major, but she did run into eventual finalist Qinwen Zheng last year at the Australian Open.

Match! Lorenzo Musetti prevails in a four-hour all-Italian epic against Matteo Arnaldi out on the KIA Arena.

That means Katie Boulter will be in action next against Canada’s Rebecca Marino. The British No 1 has had a long wait but will finally be taking to the court at around 8:30pm local time.

Cameron Norrie revealed he struggled with illness during a first-round loss to Matteo Berrettini at the Australian Open.

It was a tough draw for the British number two, with Berrettini a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park three years ago and heading back up the rankings following injury troubles.

The Italian hammered down 32 aces and recovered from a set down to claim a 6-7 (4) 6-4 6-1 6-3 victory.

Norrie, who will drop outside the top 60 having reached the fourth round last year, rued the timing, saying: “I haven’t been able to prepare as well as I could.”

It’s been a flying start from Australian favourite Alex de Minaur on Rod Laver Arena. The eighth seed races to a 6-1 opening set against Botic van de Zandchulp, and is showing no signs of nerves despite the pressure on his shoulders.

Meanwhile, French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini has also marched into a 6-0 opening set on the Margaret Court Arena against the Chinese qualifier Sijia Wei.

Outside, Ben Shelton has won the all-American battle agianst Brandon Nakashima. The big-serving Shelton, who is the 21st seed, secures a 7-6 7-5 7-5 win to reach round two.

Former Australian Open finalist and sixth seed Elena Rybakina faced no issues against 16-year-old Australian wildcard Emerson Jones as she advanced to the second round.

Jones is the junior World No 1 and hopes were high for the teenager competing on home soil but was swept aside 6-1 6-1 on Margaret Court Arena.

It was a difficult draw against the 2022 Wimbledon winner and 2023 Australian Open finalist Rybakina, who was ruthless in opening her campaign.

We’re set for the night sessions at Melbourne Park, with British No 1 Katie Boulter and Australian star Alex de Minaur in action.

Boulter’s match will not start until after the all-Italian contest between Lorenzo Musetti and Matteo Arnaldi. The first two sets were split and we’re into the third.

De Minaur, the big Australian hope, is in action on Rod Laver Arena against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.

That’s quite a tricky one – Van de Zandschulp beat Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open last year, as well as Rafael Nadal in his final singles match before retirement.

Daniil Medvedev does it again in five sets. Last year’s runner-up comes through Thailand’s Kasidit Samrej, who led by two sets to one before fading physically.

It was a remarkable effort from the wildcard, who is ranked 418th in the world, but he struggled with cramp in the fourth and five sets as Medvedev rescued himself.

A turning point? The Russian fifth seed broke his racket while obliterating the small camera pinned to the centre strap late in the third set.

He was booed by the crowd but recovered to advance to the second round. Last year he had five five-setters, including the final against Jannik Sinner.

“Why play one hour 30? I need a minimum of three hours. Second and third set I couldn’t touch the ball,” he jokes. Medvedev turns on the charm for the on-court interview.

How about this? Frenchman Gael Monfils, who last week become the oldest ATP Tour title winner in history at the age of 38, continues to shine as he takes down big-serving compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Monfils is 17 years older than Mpetshi Perricard but the Auckland Open champion triumphed 7-6(7) 6-3 6-7(6) 6-7(5) 6-4 in a match that lasted nearly four hours. The Monfils show continues.

Cameron Norrie was unable to add to the British victories at the Australian Open, suffering defeat in the opening round against Matteo Berrettini.

The Italian, who is a former Australian Open semi-finalist, hammered down 32 aces and recovered from a set down to claim a 6-7 (4) 6-4 6-1 6-3 victory.

The British No 2 was honest about his level after the defeat and also revealed he has been struggling with illness since the warm-up tournament in Auckland.

“It was a tough match,” Norrie said. “It was a difficult draw. I was really happy with the way I was hitting the ball, the level in the first set. I just dropped from then, and he maintained his level and served very well. So it was difficult.

”I think I knew what I was in for. I was expecting that. It was exactly that match. He’s a top player. I would have had to have done that, kept the level like I did in the first set for three, four hours at least to have a chance with him. I wasn’t able to do it physically. It definitely showed on the scoreline.”