Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her Australian Open campaign with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over former US Open champion Sloane Stephens, marking her 15th consecutive win at the tournament. The opening day at Melbourne Park was marred by a heavy thunderstorm, resulting in a lengthy six-hour delay for matches on the outdoor courts.
Despite the interruptions, play resumed on the covered courts, where Sabalenka showcased her skill. The Belarusian star, who has collected three Grand Slam titles, expressed her happiness at returning to Melbourne, stating, “I am super happy to be back. I love this place.” She acknowledged the intensity of her match against Stephens, reflecting, “Not that I played my best probably but I was glad I was able to close this match in straight sets.”
Qinwen Zheng, the fifth seed and last year’s runner-up, also advanced to the second round, overcoming Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni in a tight match. Zheng noted, “The first match is always not easy… I was doing a bit stupid mistakes at 5-4 40-0, I don’t know what happened there.”
In another highlight, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva put on an impressive performance, winning 6-3, 6-3 against Marie Bouzkova, signaling her potential to be a key player as the tournament progresses. However, British player Sonay Kartal faced disappointment, falling to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in her Australian Open debut, with a final score of 6-1, 7-6 (7-5).
On the men’s side, Lebanese qualifier Hady Habib made history by becoming the first player from Lebanon to win a match at a Grand Slam tournament, defeating China’s Bu Yunchaokete in a tense encounter.
Sixth seed Casper Ruud overcame a challenging first-round match against Jaume Munar, winning 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. Ruud’s successful start at the tournament was complemented by a light-hearted moment when asked about his engagement, saying, “I’ll never forget playing Rafa in a Slam final, but for sure I’ll also never forget going down on my knee to Maria.” Meanwhile, former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori triumphed in a grueling five-set match against Thiago Monteiro.
With these thrilling matches, the Australian Open continues, drawing attention to emerging talents and seasoned professionals alike in the hard-fought battle for the title.
