The Australian Open was thrown into chaos on opening day as wild weather shut down the majority of court activity for over six hours and forced eight matches to be rescheduled.

The fastest moving thing at the Australian Open on Sunday was not a tennis ball but a $25 poncho at the tournament's gift shop as wet weather wreaked havoc with the action on the opening day of the Grand Slam.

The first day of the Australian Open has been disrupted by heavy rain and thunderstorms in Melbourne. Matches at the season-opening Grand Slam tournament started as scheduled at 11:00 local time (00:00 GMT) on Sunday.

In her first match on Melbourne Park’s main court since her loss in last year’s final, Zheng advanced 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 over 20-year-old qualifier Anca Todoni.

MELBOURNE - Organisers cancelled five singles matches as persistent rain washed out a large chunk of play on the opening day of the Australian Open on Sunday, disappointing the large crowds who had flocked to Melbourne Park.