Aryna Sabalenka is safely into the second round of the Australian Open after winning her opener against Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
Sabalenka won 6-4, 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena, where legendary figures Roger Federer and Rod Laver were in attendance.
WTA number one Sabalenka asked Federer and Laver for a photo and succeeded after her match, which took one hour and 16 minutes.
The Belarusian superstar is the top seed at this year’s Australian Open, a tournament that she won in 2023 and 2024.
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Aryna Sabalenka recalls exciting Australian Open match with Ash Barty
Sabalenka discussed another former champion following her victory, having been asked for a standout memory from her first time at the Australian Open.
She replied: “I think it was against Ashleigh Barty at Rod Laver. Probably not the best experience to have for the first time, facing an Australian at the Rod Laver.
“But I’m also proud of the connection I was able to build with the fans since then. That wasn’t my best experience, to be honest. It was also cool because she was in the top 30, I think.
“For me, was a really big match, really big opportunity to see where my game was at. Even though I lost that match, but I really enjoyed, and I learned a lot from that loss.”
Sabalenka took on 18th seed and home favorite Barty on her Australian Open debut in 2018, losing their match 7-6(7-2), 4-6, 4-6.
Barty later went on to win three Grand Slam titles, including a home success in 2022, having also won the French Open and Wimbledon.
Aryna Sabalenka will NOT end the year as world number one – prove us wrong!
Aryna Sabalenka overcomes ‘awkward’ Australian Open round one test
Sabalenka now turns her focus to the second round of this year’s tournament after a somewhat tricky test against wildcard Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
When asked how exactly her opponent’s game made her struggle, the world number one said: “I think, no, not the game, but the serve was really a little bit awkward for me.
“It was not that heavy, not that fast. I was trying to find the perfect position for me to return. Also, the balls were flying a lot.
“She was serving really good targets. It was a combination of a couple of things. But then at the very end I felt like I have to step in and I have to try to put as much pressure as I can on her. I did it, and it really worked well.”
Sabalenka has enjoyed quite the journey at the Australian Open since her first outing against Barty in 2018.
The Belarusian has reached the final in each of the last three seasons, winning against Elena Rybakina and Qinwen Zheng before losing to Madison Keys.
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