World No.2 Victorian Azarenka has begun the defence of her Australian Open crown with a straight sets win on a blistering Rod Laver Arena.

But the win proved far from routine for the second seed.

Azarenka’s opponent Johanna Larsson twice served for the first set only to lose it in a tiebreaker that swung the match the way of her highly-ranked opponent.

Azarenka settled the issue 7-6 (7-2) 6-2, her major regret being the 106 minutes she had to spend on court in temperatures approaching 40 degrees.

“It would have been nice to get it over quicker,” Azarenka said.

“But it is a win and that’s the main thing.”

Azarenka joined 10th seed Caroline Wozniacki in the second round after the Dane spent a minimum of time disposing of Spain’s Lourdes Dominguez Lino 6-0 6-2.

Another who wasted as little time as possible in the sweltering heat was Romanian 11th seed Simona Halep who beat Katarzina Piter of Poland 6-0 6-1 in 54 minutes while Spanish 16th seed Carla Suarez Navarro overcame the heat and America’s Vania King 6-3 6-2.

A top of 42 degrees is forecast for Melbourne on Tuesday leading organisers to consider closing the roof over the main two stadium courts.

Such a move is solely at the discretion of the referee Wayne McKewen who weighs a number of factors before making a decision to enclose the Rod Laver and Hisense Arenas and to halt play on the outside courts.