Sport News Update, what you need to know

TENNIS - Lleyton Hewitt triumphed with a vintage performance in round one on Rod Laver Arena to down fellow Aussie James Duckworth 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 6-4 and advance to a second round clash with Spain's David Ferrer.

TENNIS - Hewitt wasn't the only Aussie to enjoy success with Bernard Tomic through in four sets, downing Uzbek Denis Istomin 6-7 (7-4) 6-4 6-4 6-4 - Tomic will now face Italian veteran Simone Bolelli in round 2.

TENNIS - Not so lucky was Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who departed with a shock first round loss to countryman Fernando Verdasco. The world No.45 coming from two sets to one down to triumph 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2.

TENNIS - No.2 seed Simona Halep was also a massive casualty in the women's draw going down 6-4 6-3 to China's Zheng Shuai - who won her first grand slam match at her 14th try.

ATHLETICS - Frenchman Jean Gracia has been appointed interim CEO and secretary general of the IAAF as the governing body of athletics tries to handle the fallout from the corruption scandal that has rocked the sport.

BASKETBALL - Australian teenager Ben Simmons faces the toughest test of his US college basketball season when Louisiana State University take on Texas A&M.