Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka into second round, Caroline Garcia is through and Garbine Muguruza is out
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Updated 17/01/2023 at 02:56 GMT
Aryna Sabalenka was the double fault leader on the WTA tour in 2022, but she has got 2023 off to an unbeaten start with her powerful serving proving decisive in Melbourne on Tuesday. The Adelaide 1 champion is into the second round in Melbourne after a comfortable straight sets victory over Czech Republic’s Tereza Martincova. Caroline Garcia is also through after beating Katherine Sebov 6-3 6-0.
Highlights: Sabalenka powers past Martincova into second round
Aryna Sabalenka has raced into the second round of the Australian Open with an easy 6-1 6-4 win over world No. 74 Tereza Martincova.
The former world No. 2 followed up her recent title success at the Adelaide 1 tournament, where she did not drop a set, by easing her way past her Czech opponent into the second round in stifling hot conditions on Rod Laver Arena.
The Belarusian, who is playing under a neutral flag at this year’s tournament, will play USA’s Shelby Rogers next.
Sabalenka is looking to improve on her fourth round exits in the 2021 and 2022 editions of the first Grand Slam of the year.
When asked in her on-court interview what she needs to improve on to win the Australian Open, Sabalenka said: "I think I need to work on my mindset, I need to improve on fighting for every point and don't get upset at every mistake I make.
"I really believe that this is the only thing missing in my game."
Sabalenka was 0-40 down at 1-1, but her first serve was firing well. She was able to secure the first break in the fourth game, racing to a 0-40 lead before taking it on her third attempt with a fierce backhand forcing an error from Martincova.
Momentum was firmly with Sabalenka who broke in Martincova’s next service game with four points in a row to take a 5-1 lead. The world No. 5 wrapped up the opening set with another ferocious backhand.
At 1-1 in the second set Sabalenka was given the opportunity to take the break lead after a double fault from Martincova. A blistering return of serve from Sabalenka off her reliable forehand sealed it.
Martincova fought hard to hold her remaining service games, but she could not counter Sabalenka's aggression on her serve or stop the 24-year-old from progressing into round two.
Caroline Garcia is also into the second round after a 6-3 6-0 win over Canada's Katherine Sebov in one hour and five minutes.
The world No. 4 had a resurgent second half to her 2022 with four titles on all surfaces and reached the US Open semi-finals, but now she is looking to improve on her career best run to the Australian Open semi-finals in 2017 by winning the first singles Grand Slam of her career in Melbourne.
After a trouble-free win on Rod Laver Arena, Garcia will play 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in the second round after the 20-year-old Canadian beat 2022 Australian Open quarter-finalist Alize Cornet 7-5 6-2.
On playing Fernandez next, Garcia said in her on-court interview: "If you want to go all the way in a tournament or in a Slam you have to beat some tough players.
"I guess I have to be really into the second round already so it's a good test, a good challenge and that's why we want to play and go far in the tournament."
Garcia required plenty of patience to find a breakthrough in the opening set with both players locked on serve for the opening seven games, but she got it by ripping a forehand winner to go 5-3 up.
The Frenchwoman had no trouble serving the 40 minute set out, sealing a love hold with an ace.
Sebov was clearly affected by Garcia’s late break in the first set as she broke immediately in the second set to take full control of the match. Sibov lost her composure and Garcia sealed a double break when the qualifier double faulted.
Former world No. 1 Garbine Muguruza is out of the Australian Open after a 3-6 7-6(3) 6-1 defeat to Belgium's Elise Mertens.
The 2020 Australian Open runner-up, now ranked 73 in the world, has lost all three matches she's played in 2023, having served for the match in two of those. The Spaniard has lost her last eight deciding sets.
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