Australian Open 2020 news - Elisabetta Cocciaretto loses to Angelique Kerber

Kerber, the 2016 champion, is targeting her second title in Melbourne and fourth Grand Slam crown overall - and got her campaign under way by defeating the teenage qualifier in a match that lasted one hour and 22 minutes.

The German had to retire during the Adelaide International last week with a back injury, but told the crowd afterwards that she was improving.

"I was feeling good," she said. "I had a lot of treatment, so that was really important."

She added some words of encouragement for her opponent, a former junior semi-finalist at this tournament, and now the world number 175 following a rapid rankings rise.

"I think she will have a great future," she said. "It was not so easy - she played really well, I was just trying to stay tough."