Aggressive Aryna Sabalenka storms on as rain mars Australian Open

MELBOURNE – Aryna Sabalenka danced past Sloane Stephens to begin her quest for a third consecutive Australian Open crown on Jan 12, with Zheng Qinwen also winning as storms caused havoc on the first day of the Grand Slam.

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 on Rod Laver Arena.

The 26-year-old is aiming to become the first woman since Martina Hingis (1997-99) to win three consecutive titles at Melbourne Park. 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, but I’m glad I was able to close the match in two sets. And I love playing here, it feels like home.”

The Belarusian did not have it all her own way against Stephens. She raced into a 4-0 lead before a series of unforced errors allowed the 31-year-old American to break back twice for 4-3.

The lapses fired up Sabalenka, who changed her racket and became more aggressive.

She created a succession of break points before finally converting on the fifth to move 5-3 ahead and then served out to take the set in 38 minutes. A double break took her to 5-1 in the second set and she completed the win in 1hr 11min.

“If I compare myself to even like three years ago, in that moment I would get frustrated and probably would lose the first set. I’m not sure if I would be able to win the match,” Sabalenka admitted.

“I’m really glad that I improved my mental toughness. I’m able to stay focused no matter what the score.”

Sabalenka, who has won 28 of her last 29 matches at hard-court Slams since the start of 2023, thrilled the crowd by breaking into a mini dance during her post-match interview.

“Now they have proof that I’m the worst dancer,” she added.

Olympic champion Zheng, the fifth seed and last season’s losing finalist, had the honour of playing the first point on centre court against Romania’s 111th-ranked Anca Todoni.

The Chinese came through 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 but was rusty after opting not to play a warmup event.

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

The 22-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough 2024 with her Australian Open exploits helping spur her to Olympic gold – beating Iga Swiatek on the way – and three WTA titles.

While Zheng was able to play, the action on the outdoor courts at Melbourne Park was halted barely an hour after it started when storms rolled in that turned the sky black.

Thunder and lightning saw players and fans rushing for cover, with the heavy rain a headache for organisers who face a match backlog. Play finally resumed after a 6½-hour delay.

Only the three main stadiums – Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena – have roofs.

Norway’s Casper Ruud, like Sabalenka and Zheng, also played on Rod Laver Arena.

The sixth seed will need to lift his game to go deep in Melbourne after a roller-coaster 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 win over Spain’s Jaume Munar, ranked No. 62.

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

“I almost gave up at match point,” said the 35-year-old, who is on the comeback trail after spending years sidelined by major hip surgery and an ankle injury. “But I somehow fought through.”

Mirra Andreeva was the first player into the second round, with the 14th-seeded Russian easing past the Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-3.

Men’s second seed Alexander Zverev rounded off the day’s action on Rod Laver Arena against the dangerous Lucas Pouille of France, winning 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
AFP, REUTERS