TENNIS – STAR attractions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka progressed into the second round of the Australian Open yesterday as disgruntled fans fumed over long queues and a surprise ticket sales halt on a blockbuster opening day of the tournament.
The record 100,763 fans who did pack into the Melbourne Park precinct witnessed first-round wins for men’s third seed Alexander Zverev and 10th seed Alexander Bublik, as well as a quickfire victory for women’s seventh seed Jasmine Paolini.
Venus Williams was given a standing ovation when she came out on court to face Olga Danilovic on her first visit to Melbourne Park since 2021 but the 45-year-old blew a 4-0 lead in the deciding set to bow out 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4.
Alcaraz, seeking his first Melbourne title to complete a career Grand Slam, blew off the rust in the final match of the day on Rod Laver Arena with a 6-3 7-6(2) 6-2 win over plucky Australian Adam Walton.
The Spanish world number one decided not to play an official warm-up tournament and it showed in his first tour-level match for nine weeks, particularly in the second set when he struggled to maintain his concentration.
Sabalenka preceded Alcaraz on the main showcourt and downed French debutante Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-4 6-1 before taking a selfie with tennis greats Roger Federer and Rod Laver.
The Belarusian, who warmed up for her bid for a third Australian Open crown with a second Brisbane International title, was broken in her opening service game but looked closer to her intimidating best in the second set.
There were a few upsets for fans to enjoy as well with ailing men’s 20th seed Flavio Cobolli losing to qualifier Arthur Fery and his hobbled women’s equivalent Marta Kostyuk going out to Elsa Jacquemot in a match decided by three tiebreaks.
Qualifier Zeynep Sonmez became the first Turkish woman to reach the second round at Melbourne Park but her upset of 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova might be better remembered for her rushing to the aid of a ball girl who fainted in the heat.
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