MELBOURNE, Australia — Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz fulfilled expectations on opening night of the Australian Open, the No. 1 seeds in women’s and men’s singles advancing in straight sets in a Sunday session that started with tennis royalty Rod Laver and Roger Federer in the crowd.
Rod Laver Arena was heaving for their first-round matches, capping a day when a record total of 100,763 fans packed into Melbourne Park.
The 45-year-old Venus Williams set a record, too, becoming the oldest player ever in the women’s singles draw at the Australian Open.
Out on John Cain Arena, the so-called People’s Court because it’s open to fans with ground passes, Williams was up two service breaks at 4-0 in the third set before Olga Danilovic rallied to win six straight games in a 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 victory.
Williams, a seven-time major winner in women’s singles and playing on a wild-card entry in the bracket in just her second major since returning to the tour last year, plans to continue in doubles at the Australian Open.