Zverev and Sabalenka assure in Melbourne

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, double title holder in Melbourne, quietly qualified for the second round of the Australian Open on Sunday, as did world No. 2 Alexander Zverev, while Casper Ruud and Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori had to fight in five sets.

A few days after her victory at the WTA 500 in Brisbane, Aryna Sabalenka continued her momentum by dominating the American Sloane Stephens (81st) in the first round of the Australian Open.

Despite a little scare in the first set, when the Belarusian let her opponent come back from 4-0 to 4-3, the world No. 1 overall negotiated this tricky first round well against the winner of the US Open 2017, 6-3 6-2 defeat in just over an hour.

At the start of the day, the finalist of the 2024 edition Zheng Qinwen (5th) had experienced some scares in the first set against the Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni (111th), before accelerating to win 7-6 (7-3 ) 6-1.

The young Russian nugget Mirra Andreeva (17 years old), 15th in the world, left little room for doubt when she entered the fray, dominating 6-3 6-3 over Czech Marie Bouzkova (43rd).

Still in search of a first Grand Slam title, world No. 2 Alexander Zverev did not hesitate to enter the fray against Frenchman Lucas Pouille (6-4 6-4 6-4).

Former 10th player in the world, the Northerner is back at the gates of the Top 100 after battling injuries and depression. “When he is healthy, he has a much better level than his ranking suggests,” underlined Zverev, who will face the Spaniard Pedro Martinez (44th) in the next round.

Fighting for two sets, Ugo Humbert (14th) resisted Matteo Gigante (145th) to win 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 6-4 and join the Lebanese Hady Habib (219th) in the next round.

Recent finalist of the ATP 250 in Hong Kong, the Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori (35 years old, 76th in the world) confirmed his current resurgence in form by coming back two sets behind against the Brazilian Thiago Monteiro (105th). The former world No. 4 finally won in five sets, 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 6-2 6-3.

Another winner of a marathon match, world No. 6 Casper Ruud emerged 6-3 1-6 7-5 2-6 6-1 after a 3h21 fight against Spaniard Jaume Munar (62nd).

“We train a lot together” in Rafael Nadal’s academy in Mallorca, explained the Norwegian after his victory. “When you know someone very well, it’s always tricky, he knows your game. The match could also have gone in his favor.”

Sunday was largely disrupted by the rain and storm which hit Melbourne barely an hour after the start of the first round, forcing organizers to suspend play on the side courts for more than six hours.

Only matches scheduled on the three courts with roofs (Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena) could take place normally.