World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka admitted to nerves playing in front of legends Rod Laver and Roger Federer but overcame a “tricky” start to her Australian Open campaign against a little-known opponent.
Sabalenka had an early wobble before recovering to triumph 6-4 6-1 against French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday night.
The presence of Laver in the front row of a sold-out crowd at the venue that bears his name, as well as that of 20-time grand slam champion Federer, didn’t go unnoticed by the Belarusian powerhouse.
Saba starting strong, @SabalenkaA 🐯 pic.twitter.com/nYDRlIXP4c— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2026
“That was definitely a lot of pressure,” Sabalenka said post-match, minutes before taking a selfie with the two legends.
“The whole match I was walking and thinking, ‘Don’t watch, don’t look there, don’t look there’.
“I got a little bit tight. I wanted to show great tennis so you guys enjoy watching me play.
“But, oh my God, what a privilege.”
Two-time champion Sabalenka, who was denied an Open three-peat by red-hot Madison Keys last year, could become the first player to reach four consecutive Melbourne Park finals since Martina Hingis.
Not even six-time champion Federer, who laughed when Sabalenka quizzed him on his record, managed that feat in his remarkable career.
Hingis won three Open finals in a row (1997-99) before losing the next three (2000-02).
“I’m trying to focus on myself and if I’ll be able to do that it’s going to mean a lot to me,” Sabalenka said.
“But I’m just trying to take it one step at a time and I’m trying to bring my best tennis every time I’m competing here in front of you all.
“I just want to enjoy.”
The 27-year-old Sabalenka, now in her 74th week as the world’s top-ranked female player, was expected to make light work of Rakotomanga Rajaonah, after an ominous preparation in which she won the Brisbane International without dropping a set.
But the 20-year-old, one of 20 first-timers in the women’s draw, made an immediate splash when she broke Sabalenka in the opening game of the first set.
Ranked 118th, Rakotomanga Rajaonah was broken straight back, but still produced some flashes of brilliance in her first career meeting with a top-10 opponent.
“I didn’t start my best, but she showed up fired up and was playing probably maybe not her best, but she was playing great,” Sabalenka said.
“It was a tricky start and I’m super happy that I found my rhythm at the very end of the first set, and then I felt a bit more confident.
“But I didn’t know much about her. Of course I watched her previous games, but it’s always tricky to play against someone young, someone that you don’t really know yet, and also a lefty.
“It was a tricky start for me but I’m super happy I was able to close this match in straight sets.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/tennis/sabalenka-advances-under-laver-federer-glare-c-21347178
