MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Rafael Nadal showed no signs of a back problem that hampered his preparation for the Australian Open. He won his first-round match against Laslo Djere 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. The second-ranked Nadal is aiming to go one better than Roger Federer and win a men’s-record 21st men’s Grand Slam singles title. Nadal didn’t play for Spain at the ATP Cup last week and was troubled by stiffness in his lower back. He says “I needed to survive today. That’s what I did.” Sofia Kenin struggled in her first match as a defending champion but eventually beat 133rd-ranked Maddison Inglis 7-5, 6-4. Ash Barty was ruthless in a 6-0, 6-0 opening win.
