With the Australian Open getting underway today, World No. 1 and the defending Ladies champion, Angelique Kerber from Germany, is quickly learning that things are not so easy at the top, as she needed three sets to defeat Lesia Tsurenko from the Ukraine, 6-2 5-7 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena.

Kerber has been battling to maintain consistency with her form since winning the US Open in September last year and with it, the coveted No. 1 ranking.

In preparation for the Australian Open, she had relatively early exits in the Brisbane and Sydney tournaments this month, and with Serena Williams knocking on her door again, the pressure has just increased.