Day one of many Australian Open isn’t about trophies. It’s about nerves. About surviving and advancing. About gamers making an attempt to regular themselves below heavy expectations because the 12 months’s first Grand Slam lastly begins.
For Carlos Alcaraz, that weight was clear the second he set foot onto Rod Laver Area.
The world No. 1 opened his 2026 marketing campaign with a straight-sets win over Australian wildcard Adam Walton, shifting effectively and with goal as he started one other try at conquering the one main that has thus far eluded him. There have been no theatrics and no scares, only a reminder that when Alcaraz is locked in, few gamers can match his tempo or creativeness. The draw will stiffen quickly sufficient, however day one was about setting a tone.
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Aryna Sabalenka did a lot the similar.
The 2-time defending champion shook off an early problem from French qualifier Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah earlier than asserting herself in a 6-4, 6-1 victory below the lights. Sabalenka’s energy ultimately instructed, because it so typically does in Melbourne, the place her recreation has confirmed uniquely suited to the circumstances. It was not flawless, however it was managed — precisely what a prime seed hopes for in a gap match.
Elsewhere, the match’s acquainted unpredictability made its presence felt.
Germany’s Alexander Zverev dropped the opening set in opposition to Canada’s Gabriel Diallo earlier than regrouping to advance in 4. On the ladies’s aspect, 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova was despatched out by Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez, whose composure by no means wavered whilst play was briefly halted when a ball child fainted within the warmth. Sonmez paused to assist earlier than ending off the most important win of her profession, a second that resonated past the scoreline.
There was historical past, too.
Venus Williams, competing within the Australian Open fundamental draw at 45 years previous, grew to become the oldest girl ever to take action. She pushed Serbia’s Olga Danilović to a few units, exhibiting flashes of the resolve that outlined her profession, earlier than falling in a hard-fought loss. Williams led deep into the deciding set, and for a second, it felt doable. In the long run, the consequence mattered lower than the reminder of what she has given the game — and the way a lot of herself she nonetheless brings onto the courtroom.
The grounds themselves instructed one other story.
A report crowd poured into Melbourne Park, prompting organizers to halt ground-pass gross sales as followers waited in lengthy strains below the solar. The Australian Open has at all times prided itself on accessibility, however day one provided a glimpse of simply how fashionable — and the way stretched — the occasion has change into.By night time’s finish, many favorites had moved on, a couple of contenders have been already gone, and the match had begun to take form. That’s the rhythm of the primary day in Melbourne: not conclusions, however beginnings.
The Australian Open doesn’t crown champions on day one. It asks questions as a substitute. Some gamers answered. Others won’t get the possibility once more.
