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.

But players on the outer courts were forced off about an hour later.

Play resumed at Melbourne Park at about 18:00 local time (07:00 GMT) but five matches were cancelled.

The wet weather meant only the matches scheduled on Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena – all of which have a roof – could be played.

Three matches had been completed by 15:00 (04:00 GMT).

Chinese fifth seed Zheng Qinwen, last year’s beaten finalist, and teenage Russian 14th seed Mirra Andreeva won in the women’s singles.

French 20th seed Arthur Fils secured victory in the men’s first round.