Sabalenka, Zverev and Habib shine on the first day of the Australian Open in the rain | Tennis news
Hady Habib becomes the first Lebanese player to win a Grand Slam match on an eventful first day at Melbourne Park.
Aryna Sabalenka launched her quest for a third successive Australian Open title with a 6-3 6-2 defeat of former US Open winner Sloane Stephens on a wet opening day of the main round in Melbourne.
Despite a strong performance at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday, Sabalenka was nowhere near her peak as the American broke her twice in a tricky first set, but she settled with her blistering forehand to claim her 15th straight Grand Slam victory on hard court .
The women’s hardcourt standout, Sabalenka, raced to a 4-0 lead over Stephens in the first set as fans were still in their seats for the first evening match on day one on Center Court.
Although Stephens broke her twice to make it 4-3, Sabalenka rallied to win the set with strong net play and her usual aggressiveness.
Sabalenka will play Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro for a place in the third round in her bid to become the first woman to complete the Australian Open “three-seed” since Martina Hingis (1997-99).
Meanwhile, second seed Alexander Zverev hardly needed to kick into third gear as the German cruised past Frenchman Lucas Pouille 6-4 6-4 6-4.
Two-time Grand Slam runner-up Zverev has made no secret of his ambition to lift the first major at Melbourne Park this year, and the 2024 semi-finalist has succeeded.
Hady Habib waving the Lebanese flag
Lebanon’s Hady Habib made history by becoming the first player from his country to win a Grand Slam match when he defeated China’s Bu Yunchaokete in front of a frenzied crowd on court 13.
World number 219 Habib is the only Lebanese ever, male or female, to make it through the qualifiers and reach the main draw at one of the four major tournaments.
The 26-year-old continued his fairytale run with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) victory, before wrapping himself in a Lebanese flag as he signed autographs.
“Honestly, this is probably one of the best days of my career,” Habib said.
“It is such an amazing feeling to get this victory not only for myself but also for Lebanon and Lebanese tennis.
“As you could see, the crowd went absolutely wild. That’s why the victory in front of them was even more special.”
Born in the United States to a Lebanese father, Habib lived in Lebanon for several years from the age of six and represented the country from the age of 15 when he first played in the Davis Cup.
His reward is a second round match against the 14th seeded Frenchman Hugo Humbert.
“This is a huge victory, especially what we have been going through as a country,” said Habib.
Rain, thunderstorm interrupt the game
Earlier in the day’s main round, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, who lost to Sabalenka in last year’s final, reached the second round indoors, while men’s sixth seed Casper Ruud and former world number four Kei Nishikori avoided rainy weather to secure a five-set win.
It was another matter on the outdoor courts where play ended after less than an hour in the morning and did not resume until more than six hours later in the evening.
Eight of the 32 scheduled singles matches have been scratched and the organizers will be thankful for the extra day that was first added to the tournament last year.
The men’s draw featured two longer matches with Norway’s Ruud advancing after a 6-3 1-6 7-5 2-6 6-1 win over Jaume Munar and Japan’s Nishikori winning 4-6 6-7(4) 7 -5 6- 2 6-3 against Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro.
