REIGNING Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka was made to wait for her first round walk onto Rod Laver Arena, but wasted no time in belting qualifier Ella Seidel 6-0, 6-1. It was a merciless display from the world number two, who took just 53 minutes to run through her opponent.

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Despite new rules being put in play to prevent late night finishes, Sabalenka and Seidel took to the court at 11:41pm local time and perhaps that spurred the world number two to up the ante. She won 80 per cent of points on her first serve and hit 20 winners to Seidel’s four.

The brutal display of power and accuracy turned near-sadistic as the 18-year-old Seidel was brought to tears, only for her opponent to put the foot down further. It took the German until the 12th game to earn a game point, for which she was cheered by the crowd which sensed her dismay.

“I know you guys were cheering for her, but anyway thank you so much for staying that late and supporting us, it’s really important,” Sabalenka said post-match.

“I’m just very grateful… for every opportunity I have playing on this incredible court. Hopefully I can stay here until the very, very, very last day… It feels so great to be back and feel all the support and atmosphere.”

Sabalenka, who is gunning for back-to-back titles at the event, moves on to face Czech 16-year-old Brenda Fruhvirtova. The emerging world number 107 beat Ana Bogdan in three sets yesterday, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, to set up the imposing matchup.

Elsewhere in the women’s bracket, veteran Caroline Wozniacki advanced via a retirement from 20th seed Magda Linette. The former world number one was leading 6-2, 2-0. Top 10 seeds Barbora Krejcikova and Maria Sakkari also progressed, with plenty more first round action to come today.

RESULTS:
2024 Australian Open – Day 1

M. Sakkari [8] def. N. Hibino 6-4. 6-1
E. Avanesyan def. Z. Bai 4-6, 7-5, 6-2
C. Wozniacki (WC) def. M. Linette [20] 6-2, 2-0 (RET)
M. Timofeeva (Q) def. A. Cornet (WC) 6-2, 6-4
A. Korneeva (Q) def. S. Sorribes Tormo 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
L. Fernandez [32] def. S. Bejlek (Q) 7-6, 6-2
A. Parks def. D. Snigur (Q) 2-6, 6-2, 6-4
C. Dolehide def. L. Jeanjean (Q) 6-2, 6-4
K. Rakhimova def. E. Bektas 6-4, 6-4
D. Parry def. X. Wang [30] 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
T. Korpatsch def. J. Burrage 2-6, 6-3, 6-0
B. Krejcikova [9] def. M. Hontama (WC) 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
A. Anisimova def. L. Samsonova [13] 6-3, 6-4
L. Tsurenko [28] def. L. Bronzetti 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
B. Fruhvirtova (Q) def. A. Bogdan 2-6, 6-4, 6-3
A. Sabalenka [2] def. E. Seidel (Q) 6-0, 6-1