Alcaraz, Sabalenka through to second round; Venus Williams loses

Sabalenka surprisingly dropped serve to start her first-round clash with French wildcard Tiantsoa “Sarah” Rakotomanga Rajaonah, but stormed over the top to clinch a 6-4, 6-1 victory.

The dual Australian Open champion is attempting to become the first woman to reach four consecutive finals at Melbourne Park since Martina Hingis made six straight from 1997-2002.

“I’m trying to focus on myself and if I’ll be able to do that [make another final], it’s going to mean a lot to me,” Sabalenka said. “But I’m trying to take it one step at a time, and bring my best tennis every time.”

Walton was far from disgraced against six-time major champion Alcaraz, but ultimately outclassed, particularly once he failed to capitalise on being up a break in the second set.

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The 81st-ranked Queenslander went toe-to-toe with Alcaraz at times, and impressed Jim Courier enough for him to predict he could be a top-50 player in the future.

But Walton will rue his loose second-set tiebreak, where he fluffed a high volley and committed two double faults – one of them on set point.

Alcaraz sprinkled some typically audacious highlights throughout the night, including a ’tweener after being caught out of position. He ended up losing the point, but Walton shook his head and smirked at his rival’s brilliance.

Even better was Alcaraz’s diving backhand volley winner midway through the second set, which followed him digging out a difficult half-volley. He caned 38 winners in total.

Alcaraz’s celebrations were box office, too. He wagged his index finger after his aforementioned volley, while the veins were popping on his sculpted arms as he vigorously pumped his fist after throttling a forehand winner to break Walton for a 5-3 first-set lead.

Awaiting Alcaraz next is German veteran Yannick Hanfmann, who beat American qualifier Zachary Svajda in four sets.

Earlier, with grand slam legends Federer and Laver watching from the front row, Sabalenka put on a net-rushing clinic.

The ever-evolving Belarusian superstar told everyone in Brisbane that she wanted to get to the net more this year – and it was not just lip service on the evidence of her win over Rakotomanga Rajaonah.

Sabalenka came forward 22 times and won 16 of those net forays, including the odd serve-and-volley, as she continues to add to her imposing arsenal.

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She completed her night’s work by securing a post-match “selfie” with Laver and Federer, after politely requesting one during her on-court interview with Jelena Dokic.

“I was definitely working on serve-and-volley. I’m super happy to be able to do it in the match,” Sabalenka said.

“On the practice [court] is one thing, but to be able to be fearless and go there at the match is something else. I’m really proud I’m able to show this tennis.”

Asked if Federer’s presence had any impact on her net-heavy approach, Sabalenka joked: “Of course, I just wanted to impress Roger with my game. I couldn’t do [a] ’tweener, but it’s OK – next time.”

Former world No.4 Dokic was impressed with Sabalenka’s performance, saying in commentary for Nine that she felt this was the best the Belarusian had ever moved, particularly with her speed off the mark.

Sabalenka avoided a potentially tricky rematch of last year’s quarter-final when Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova suffered an upset 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (12-10) defeat to Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan, who has tumbled down the rankings to No.702 due to back and ankle injuries.

It was a promising grand slam debut for Rakotomanga Rajaonah.

There was a pre-tournament kerfuffle in some quarters about the reciprocal wildcards that enable Australian, French and American players to score grand slam main draw appearances during the year, but Rakotomanga Rajaonah more than justified her handout.

This was only her 19th tour-level match – more than 500 behind Sabalenka – but the world No.118 seems poised for more slam outings, and likely on her own merit.

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