Rafael Nadal saw off Australian challengers from the past and future as Fast4 tennis made its debut at Melbourne Park.
Mark Philippoussis returned to the Australian Open venue for the first time in 10 years while 17-year-old Victorian Omar Jasika lived out a dream playing against the Spanish legend.
Dubbed the Summer Set, Nadal saw off both players in the shortened format of the game with a 4-1 scoreline at the renovated Margaret Court Arena, which now has a roof.
The 14-time grand slam winner, currently ranked world No.3, came dressed to impress in a fluorescent pink shirt, white shorts with pink reflective stripes and bright yellow head and wrist bands.
The vocal crowd approved with plenty of "I love you Rafa" calls throughout the match while the man himself took a selfie court-side upon a large pink throne.
Jasika, who won the US Open boys singles and doubles titles last year, started with a bang as he served two aces on his way to a 1-0 lead.
But Nadal looked to have overcome back, appendicitis and wrist problems ahead of his Australian Open challenge, where he will look to add a second title to his 2009 crown after finishing runner-up in the past two years.
Jasika, who earlier advanced to the second round of the Australian Open qualifying, didn't manage another game but was happy enough: "I think I'm dreaming, it's a night I'll never forget," he said.
Philippoussis, now 38, still looked in good shape apart from a heavily strapped left knee and still managed to send down a couple of 200km plus bombs.
But with a deciding power point played at 40-40 and the sets won at four games rather than six, he never really had time to find his feet.
"It was too quick and I never got a chance to settle," said Philippoussis, who was watched by his wife and baby son in the crowd.
Nadal then lined up against compatriot Fernando Verdasco, who he made history with in an epic five-set match in the Australian Open semi-final in 2009.
The pair then played out a five hour 14 minute encounter, won by Nadal, which was the longest Australian Open singles match until it was eclipsed by Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the 2012 final.
The Spaniards did their best to repeat the effort with three of the sets going to a tiebreak - which is first to five with a sudden death point at four-all.
After four match points Nadal finally prevailed 2-4 4-3 (5-4) 4-3 (5-4) 3-4 (5-4) 4-2.
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