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Aryna Sabalenka Dominates Opener at 2026 Australian Open

1/18/2026

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Summary

Sabalenka Dominates Opener

Aryna Sabalenka, a tennis player, opened the 2026 Australian Open with a 6-4, 6-1 win over French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
Sabalenka dropped the opening service game but recovered to post 23 winners.
Tennis legends Roger Federer and Rod Laver attended, and Sabalenka expressed excitement and took a selfie.
Sabalenka will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Bai Zhuoxuan next as she pursues a fourth consecutive Australian Open final.

Summary

Alcaraz and Sabalenka Advance

Top seeds Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the second round with straight-set victories at the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne.
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Australian Adam Walton 6-3, 7-6, 6-2.
Aryna Sabalenka beat Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-4, 6-1.
Venus Williams, 45, the oldest player in the tournament, lost to Olga Danilovic after rallying from 4-0 down in the final set.
Attendance on opening day surpassed 100,000 spectators.

History

Historical Context

The 1969 Australian Open marked the beginning of the Open Era in tennis, allowing professional players to compete alongside amateurs. This change led to over 100 participants, including Rod Laver, and set the stage for the tournament's growth. Today, the Australian Open attracts over 100,000 spectators, reflecting the sport's evolution and enduring significance in Australian culture.

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Sabalenka Dominates Opener

Aryna Sabalenka, a tennis player, opened the 2026 Australian Open with a 6-4, 6-1 win over French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
Sabalenka dropped the opening service game but recovered to post 23 winners.
Tennis legends Roger Federer and Rod Laver attended, and Sabalenka expressed excitement and took a selfie.
Sabalenka will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Bai Zhuoxuan next as she pursues a fourth consecutive Australian Open final.

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