Aggressive Sabalenka, Zverev Storm On As Rain Mars Australian Open

As a result of the storms that hampered the Grand Slam’s first day, Aryna Sabalenka cruised past Sloane Stephens to claim her third consecutive victory on Sunday.

Belarusian top seed Sabalenka had a first-set wobble but was otherwise in control against 2017 US Open champion Stephens, romping home 6-3, 6-2 in 71 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

Sabalenka wants to win three consecutive titles at Melbourne Park, joining Martina Hingis (1997-1998) as the first woman to do so.

If she lifts the winner’s Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup again, she will join a select group of Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and Hingis as the only women to complete a three-peat.

“Always tough matches against her”, said Sabalenka, who won the Brisbane International in the lead-up. “I didn’t play my best, probably, but I’m glad I was able to close the match in two sets”.

Second-seeded man Zverev was strong in his match against Lucas Pouille, who had qualified for the last four before falling to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.

The German, who is on the same side of the draw as Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, cruised home 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 as he bids to better the semi-final he made in 2024.

Olympic champion Zheng, the fifth seed and last year’s losing finalist, had the honour of playing the first point on centre court against Romania’s 110th-ranked Anca Todoni.

She came through 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 but was rusty after opting not to play a warm-up event.

Todoni came out firing with three set points on her own serve at 5-3 in the opening set before closing her down in the tiebreak and racing through the second set.

“The first match is always not easy”, she said. “Just happy to get through the match, the tiebreak and find my rhythm”.

With her Australian Open success and three WTA titles, the 22-year-old won the title and the Olympic gold medal she won in the way of Iga Swiatek.

Zheng was able to play, but the action on Melbourne Park’s outside courts was stopped just as storms started pouring down the sky.

‘ A bit hard

Fans and players rushed for safety as a result of thunder and lightning, which caused organisers’ to have a match backlog.

Play finally resumed after a six-and-a-half hour delay.

Roofs only exist in the three main stadiums, Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and John Cain Arena.

After a disappointing 2024 at the majors, Norway’s Ruud declared ahead of the event that improving his Grand Slam performance this year was on his agenda.

But the sixth seed will need to lift his game to go deep in Melbourne after a rollercoaster 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 win over Spain’s Jaume Munar, ranked 106.

Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori also came through a five-set marathon, saving two match points to beat Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 in 4hr 6min.

The 35-year-old, who has been sidelined for years due to extensive hip replacement surgery and an ankle injury, said, “I almost gave up at match point.”

“But I somehow fought through”.

Mirra Andreeva defeated Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the second round.

The 17-year-old made the fourth round in Melbourne last year and is looking to better that performance.

“Honestly it was a bit hard for me when they started closing the roof (mid-match)”, said Andreeva, who is coached by former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez.

“I’m very happy that I played in a roofed stadium today.”

Women’s 11th seed Paula Badosa, 18th seed Donna Vekic and 2021 US Open champion Leylah Fernandez also progressed.

Ugo Humbert, the 14th seed, defeated Matteo Gigante in straight sets to face Hady Habib, the first Lebanese player to ever triumph in a Grand Slam match.

Source: Channels TV