Here we go! Time to see what Simona Halep is made of in the opening slam of 2021. She faces the Australian Lizette Cabrera, and that will get under way very soon...

Halep responds in style after being broken for the first time this match – breaking right back!

And with that she has won her opening round, rather comfortably it must be said. Just the three games dropped and little over an hour on court!

Well than! Serving for the match, Halep is broken for the first time! The Romanian had conceded two break points in each of her first two service matches this set, and the third time around he can’t save a second break point. The smallest of lifelines for Cabrera…

Okay, this could be over very soon! Once more Halep saves two break points, and once more she goes on to hold and then she breaks Cabrera to love!

Just the one game away from the second round.

Halep having to dig a little deeper in this set, but still she’s very much on top. She breaks initially but then faces a battle on her own serve. Two break points saved and then just to rub it in after holding, she goes on to break a second time and take a commanding 3-0 lead.

Swiftly does it for Halep in the opening set. Not a break point faced, two out of three break points converted, and the second seed takes the first set 6-2 against her Australian opponent.

Cabrera hanging on in there in this opening set. She saves one set point and valiantly goes on to hold. But next up, Halep will be serving to make it 1-0.

More confident from Cabrera now. She manages to take Halep to deuce on the Romanian’s serve, and though Halep eventually holds, Cabrera replies in kind, holding to 15 to get on the board in this match.

Blimey this match might not lost long at this rate. It's a second break to 15 for Halep and she already leads 3-0.

And just to assert her dominance, Halep holds to love. Could be a quick match unless Cabrera can settle her nerves!

Cabrera is looking to avoid a fourth Aus Open exit at the first-round stage, and she is yet to win a grand slam match proper.

Crikey… That’s what Halep is made of. A break in the opening game of the match and she already has the advantage!