TENNIS/Australian Open: The Opening few days of any grand slam are a frenzied clutter of activity, and Venus Williams, the reigning Wimbledon and US Open champion, has for various reasons never properly adjusted or prepared herself for the year's first major event here. Indeed, many would argue she has not taken it terribly seriously at all, albeit that in three previous visits she has reached two quarter-finals and one semi-final.

"Normally I feel a little bit rushed," she said. "Getting here a little earlier this year and winning the tournament on the Gold Coast was very good for me and allowed me an extra week afterwards to look around."

And looking around yesterday, the inescapable feeling was that Venus is totally focused on making this year's Australian the venue for her fifth grand slam title. Hot on the heels of Andre Agassi pulling out on the opening morning came the rather more expected news of Serena Williams's withdrawal, the younger of the sisters having sprained her right ankle in Sydney last week.

The injury means that Venus has no doubles partner now, which may also broaden her sightseeing plans as well as cutting down on the stress and strain of continuous match play. "I was obviously disappointed for Serena, but I was able to move on and that's a good thing because I worry about her a lot and if I went on court worrying that could affect my game." Aah.

Yesterday's 6-2, 6-2 first-round victory over Ansley Cargill of the US, a qualifier, was a formality, as were first- round victories for Monica Seles and Switzerland's Martine Hingis, three times the champion here.

By far the biggest upset of the opening day was the defeat of Brazil's Gustavo Kuerten, the world number two and reigning French Open champion. Except that Kuerten has such a shocking record in Melbourne, with only four wins in six visits and never having gone beyond the second round, that his 3-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 defeat by France's Julien Boutter, ranked number 49, could barely be described as an upset.

His defeat ostensibly opened up his quarter of the draw, which includes Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski, the latter having beaten the Brazilian in the second round last year.

But it was all rather sad.