Aryna Sabalenka’s Australian Open title defence got off to a winning — if slightly uneasy — start on Sunday, as the world No.1 worked through an error-filled performance to beat French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-4, 6-1.
On paper, it looked routine. On court, it took a little while to settle.
Sabalenka, chasing a third Melbourne title in four years, began the match on the wrong foot, losing the first three points on serve and dropping her opening service game. It wasn’t the start she would have scripted, especially with Roger Federer watching from the stands at Rod Laver Arena.
She fought back to deuce in that first game, only to misfire again and fall behind, briefly sending a ripple of surprise through the crowd. The Belarusian quickly
steadied herself to level the score, but Rakotomanga Rajaonah — ranked 118 and playing with little to lose — didn’t fade away as expected.
The 20-year-old stayed competitive through the first set, forcing Sabalenka to grind rather than cruise. Unforced errors crept into the top seed’s game, and at 4-4, Sabalenka even had to apologise after a stray forehand accidentally struck her opponent on the head.
It was a reminder that Sabalenka was still shaking off some early-match rust, despite arriving in Melbourne fresh from winning the Brisbane International. Eventually, her power and experience told. She broke serve late to take the opening set and then moved through the second with far more control.
Once she found her range, the result was never really in doubt. Sabalenka cleaned up her game, cut down the mistakes, and wrapped things up comfortably to book her place in the second round.
Next up, she’ll face either Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova or Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan.
After last year’s shock final loss to Madison Keys, Sabalenka will be keen to build momentum quickly. This wasn’t flawless, but it was a reminder that even on an off day, the world No.1 knows how to find a way through.
(with AFP inputs)
