Sabalenka overcame a 'tricky start' to beat Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-4, 6-1.
She admitted feeling nervous playing in front of Roger Federer and Rod Laver.
Several seeded players, including Ekaterina Alexandrova and Marta Kostyuk, were upset in the first round.
Alexander Zverev dropped the first set but recovered to win his first-round match.
Day one attendance hit a record high of 73,235.
Why This Matters: Sabalenka is a top contender for the Australian Open title, and her ability to overcome early struggles demonstrates her resilience. The upsets highlight the unpredictable nature of the tournament, and the record attendance underscores the event's popularity.
Aryna Sabalenka's match against Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah showcased the challenges of facing a young, relatively unknown opponent in a Grand Slam tournament. Despite a nervous start, Sabalenka's experience and power ultimately prevailed.
Other notable events from day one include:
Upsets: Several seeded players were eliminated, including Ekaterina Alexandrova (No. 11) and Marta Kostyuk (No. 20).
Zverev's Recovery: Alexander Zverev, a top seed, dropped the first set but managed to regain composure and win his match.
Record Attendance: The Australian Open set a new record for day one attendance, indicating strong fan interest.
Alcaraz's Ambition: Carlos Alcaraz is aiming to win his first Australian Open title, which would complete his career Grand Slam.
These early matches set the stage for an exciting tournament with potential for more surprises and compelling storylines.
Q: Who did Aryna Sabalenka play in the first round?
Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
Q: Did any seeded players lose on day one?
Yes, several seeded players were upset, including Ekaterina Alexandrova and Marta Kostyuk.
Q: What was the attendance on day one of the Australian Open?
A record 73,235.
Aryna Sabalenka is a strong contender for the Australian Open title.
Upsets are common in the early rounds of Grand Slam tournaments.
Alexander Zverev is still in contention despite a shaky start.
Carlos Alcaraz is aiming to complete his career Grand Slam at the Australian Open.
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