World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka is through to the second round of the Australian Open after a 6-4, 6-1 win over French player Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah.
Sabalenka was pleased to progress to the second round.
“Yeah, super happy to be through this match.
“I think I didn’t really start at my best and was struggling to find my rhythm.
“But then I feel like in the last two games of the first set I found my rhythm, and I was able to step in and play a little bit better tennis.”
Different strategy
Sabalenka showcased a different strategy when she went to the net 22 times during her match.
“I prefer to be unpredictable.
“But yeah, I was definitely working on serve and volley. I’m super happy to be able to do it on the match.
“You know, on the practice is one thing, but to be able to be kind of, like, fearless and go there at the match is something else.
“I’m really proud I’m able to show this tennis.”
Sabalenka described how it’s not always easy playing against an opponent for the first time.
“I mean, first of all, it’s the first match, right? You’re always kind of trying to figure out where you are.
“And also, that opponent that I never played before. I haven’t really watched her games before and kind of, like, lose her out of my radar.
“So, I didn’t really know much about her. I was just struggling to find the rhythm of her shots.
“I’m happy that I could manage, and I could get this win in straight sets.”
‘Not the best experience’
Sabalenka was able to recall her very first match at the Australian Open.
“I think it was against Ashleigh Barty at Rod Laver. Probably not the best experience to have for the first time, facing Australian at the Rod Laver.”
Sabalenka feels that she has developed a connection with the local fans over the years.
“But I’m also proud the connection I was able to build with the fans since then.”
She did admit that it was not a great experience for her.
“That wasn’t my best experience, to be honest. It was also cool because she was in the top 30, I think.
“For me, was a really big match, really big opportunity to see where my game at.”
Sabalenka appears to possess a growth mindset.
“Even though I lost that match, but I really enjoyed it, and I learned a lot from that loss.”
Dave Marshall is reporting exclusively from the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne for The South African.
