Aryna Sabalenka was forced to dig deep during the early stages of her first round match at the Australian Open before storming to victory.
The two-time champion kicked off her campaign in Melbourne Park with a 6-4, 6-1 win over French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah, who was making her tournament debut at the age of 20. Utilizing her powerful ball striking, Sabalenka hit a total of 23 winners en route to her 29th win at the tournament. Out of all the Grand Slams, she has only won more matches at the US Open (34).
“It feels amazing. It definitely feels like home,” Sabalenka said of playing in Melbourne.
Despite the straightforward score, Sabalenka didn’t have everything her own way during the first set, where she dropped serve in the opening game and didn’t manage to break her rival until the 10th game. A pivotal moment occurred at 4-4 when the top seed returned a dropped shot that unintentionally hit her opponent in the head. After that, Rakotomanga Rajaonah lost five games in a row.
The Frenchwoman, who is yet to beat a top 50 player on the Tour, managed to get back on the scoreboard midway through the second frame. However, by this stage, Sabalenka was firmly in control and cruising towards victory. Serving for a place in the last 64, a forehand error from Rakotomanga Rajaonah handed Sabalenka a trio of match points. Sabalenka converted her second with a body serve that her rival returned into the net.
“I didn’t start my best, but she showed up, and she was playing her, probably, maybe not the best, but she was playing great,” Sabalenka commented on her latest performance.
“It was a tricky start and I’m super happy that I found my rhythm at the very end of the first set. Then I felt a bit more confident.
“I didn’t know much about her. It’s always tricky to play against someone young, someone that you don’t really know yet, and also lefty. That was a tricky start for me, but I’m super happy I was able to close this match in three sets.”
Among those in the crowd watching were Roger Federer and Rod Laver, who have won nine Australian Open titles between them. Federer’s return to the event coincided with its first opening ceremony that took place a day before main draw action got underway.
“Oh my God, what a privilege,” she said of playing in front of the duo.
“That was definitely a lot of pressure. Then the whole match I was thinking ‘don’t look there (at `Federer and laver).‘
The 27-year-old is bidding to become the eighth woman in the Open Era to have won a third Australian Open title. She is also aiming to become the first player since Martina Hingis to feature in four consecutive finals.
“If I’m able to do that, it’s going to mean a lot to me, but I’m just trying to take it one step at a time.” Said Sabalenka.
“I’m trying to bring my best tennis every time I’m competing here in front of you all. I just want to enjoy it.”
Awaiting Sabalenka in the second round will be either five-time Australian Open quarter-finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Chinese qualifier Zhuoxuan Bai.
