The Australian Open
Australian Open 2026 Women’s Day 1
Two-time Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka stormed ahead as she began her quest for a Melbourne Park trophy hit-trick on Sunday, defeating Madagascar-born Frenchwoman Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-4, 6-1 to open her account.
The world No. 1 lifted the title here in 2023 and 2024 but lost the final a year ago to American Madison Keys. if she reaches the final in a fortnight, Sabalenka will be the first since Martina Hingis who touched six on the trot – winning the first three – from 2997 to 2002.
Sabalenka lost the opening game as she found her feet against an unfamiliar opponent but quickly settled in with a break-back as she settled in.
The top seed imposed on her 20-year-old lefty opponent – who now goes by the name Sarah for simplicity’s sake – playing on the biggest stage of her career.
The youngster drew applause for a razor-sharp cross-court volley return which crossed the net and landed well out of Sabalenka’s reach.
The seed responded with a polite racquet but went on to close out victory after 74 minutes with tennis legends Rod Laver and Roger Federer in the stands.
“I knew they were there, but I kept telling myself during the match not to look to them,” the winner said of the pressure.
The world No. 1 for a 74th week said she overcame a slow start.
“I didn’t start my best, she showed up great. It was a tricky start but I found my rhythm at the end of the first set. After that I felt more confident.
“I’m happy I was able to close this out in straight sets.”:
Jasmine Paolini pasted a smile on her face despite a pre-match case of nerves as the Italian booked the Australian Open second round in 70 minutes, 6-1, -2 over Aliaksandra Sasnovich on opening day.

The Melbourne event is into the second edition of a 15-day event, mimicking Roland Garros and now the US Open in padding the corporate bottom line with extra sessions.
Wimbledon, which plays the classic 14 days, remains the lone Grand Slam holdout in old-school scheduling.
Seventh seeded Italian Paolini, who reached two Grand Slam finals in 2024 finally came through despite missing out on three match points as she served for victory.
She finished the job a game later with a hold of serve and was pleased to go through early in the day in just 70 minutes.
“I played pretty good today, I didn’t expect that,: the 30-year-old said. “It’s tough to play the first round, especially against a qualifier.
“I was solid and well focused, so I’m happy.”
Paolini admitted: “Before the match I had nerves. But then I stepped onto the court and felt good from the first ball. It’s great to be back on the Rod Laver court.
The usually jovial Italian said she had to make an effort to feel lighthearted on the day.
“I told myself to smile a little bit otherwise you will play badly. It’s important for me to enjoy my tennis,even if I have to force myself to smile more.”
Greek Maria Sakkari a one-time world No. 3 who is working her way back from injury on a 52nd ranking, began the Grand Slam 6-4, 6-2 over Frenchwoman Leolia Jeanjean 6-4, 6-2.
Sakkari came from 4-1 down in the first set to advance at a major where she has never been past the fourth round.
2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova pulled out after a practice session with a shoulder injury.
“After everything I’ve been dealing with, I need to prioritize my health, even though this decision wasn’t easy,” she said. “Thank you all for your understanding and support.”
Her place in the draw was taken by US lucky loser Taylor Townsend, who then lost to countrywoman Hailey Baptiste 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3.
Elina Svitolina brought her title form from this month in Auckland to Melbourne, reaching the second round at her weakest Slam for the third time with a 6-4, 6-1 defeat of Cristina Bucsa.
Main photo:-Aryna Sabalenka in action on Rod Laver Arena – by ISF Ltd
ATP
Solid Sinner soars into Wimbledon final
Jannik Sinner buried the Wimbledon dream of Novak Djokovic on Friday with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win to reach a second straight final at the grasscourt classic.
The defending champion and world No. 1 never let his 39-year-old opponent – a seven-time champion here – into their semi-final , winning in two hours, 20 minutes..
It took nearly two hours for an impeccable Sinner to face a break point leading two sets and a break
The Italian calmly saved with his 11th ace and secured a 3-1 lead with another untouchable serve.
Leading 5-4, Sinner set up three match points with his 16th ace and took victory as Djokovic reached for a high ball off a drop shot return but sent it wide to lose.
Sinner will now take a dominating record into the Sunday final against Alexander Zverev, who booked his second consecutive Grand Slam final after winning Roland Garros last month.
The German second seed defeated Briton Arthur Fery 7-6 (0), 6-2, 6-4.

But he will need to reverse a negative trend against Sinner, who has won their last nine meetings and has ot lost a set in their last six.
Sinner will be competing in his seventh Grand Slam final and first at Wimbledon.
“It’s amazing,” the 24-year-old Italian winner said of his defeat of Djokovic. “It means a lot to play one more final here.
“It’s amazing what Novak is still showing (on court). He’s an inspiration,” he said of the rival who defeated him in January’s Australian Open semis.
Sinner credited his team’s preparation for helping him to the straight-sets victory.
“We tried to make some adjustments. I stayed aggressive and serve well, which helped me. against the best returner in the game.
“I’m very hapy with today’s performance. I’m happy to be back in the final.”
Sinner becomes the first Italian player to reach multiple Wimbledon singles finals.
“It was a good old blowout,” Djokovic said of his loss. “I was not sharp enough, not balanced enough; there was not much I could do on the court.
“He was the much better player and the dominant force. You have to hand it to him and say ‘well done.'”
Main photo:-Jannik Sinner eases to three set victory over Novak Djokovic – by Roger Parker/ ISF Ltd
The Australian Open
Fashion-forward Osaka will tone it down at RG
Tennis style icon Naomi Osaka has no plans to try for one-upmanship in the informal fashion stakes at Roland Garros.
The former world No. 1 from Japan has sometimes made more news with her style choices than her racquet, especially after taking time off several seasons ago to have a child.
But Osaka has run against the traditional tennis grain with some of her outfits, which included an exo-skeleton ensemble at January’s Australian Open, where she walked onto court for her opening match wearing a large hat, veil, and carrying a parasol combination and wearing a pair of pleated pants..
The clothing was discarded before the start revealing a tennis dress, with the quirky player explaining the get-up was inspired by “the jellyfish, then butterflies, which ties back to the butterfly moment I had here a long time ago, in 2021,”
The world No. 16 also put on a fashion show at the spring Met Gala in New York, sporting a wedding dress-style garment combined with another huge hat..
For Osaka, it’s just another day in the office, but she said nothing special is planned when Roland Garros kicks of on Sunday in Paris.
“I don’t talk a lot, so that way I can talk through my clothes,” she said on Saturday prior to the start of the year’s second major.
“That means I can be as loud with colors or patterns or
fabric as I want.
“I think that’s the fun part.. I feel we lost that a little in tennis. I grew up with, you know, Serena’s and Venus’s (Williams) grand reveals (included beaded hair and catsuits on court).
“I know there are some kids or some people who are similar to me that hopefully feel that same way about my outfits.
“But, yeah, I am a little dramatic when it comes to my fashion sense.”
ATP
Kyrgios due to resurface on German grass
Nick Kyrgios is being touted for a return to tennis after playing just one singles match all season, with the controversial Australian due in the lineups for Stuttgart and Halle in June.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist who turns 31 in a week, has been added to the entry lists for the pair of run-up events prior to the grass-court major which starts on June 29.
Kyrgios, who has missed months on end due to injury and motivational worries, has played just one Grand Slam match since 2022, losing in the Australian Open first round in 2025.
His lone outing this season was an ATP defeat in Brisbane on January 6.
Nevertheless, the acquired taste is feted as a crowd-puller and will have German organisers on alert as to his eventual availability.
“Nick Kyrgios has been one of the most dazzling personalities in world tennis for years,” Halle tournament organisers said in a statement.
“The Australian is known for his exceptional playing style, characterised by one of the best serves on the tour, spectacular winners, and great creativity.
“At the same time, his emotional personality and charisma attract considerable attention far beyond the sport.”
Stuttgart start the day after the Roland Garros final while Halle follows a week later in northern Germany from June 13-21.
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