Day 1 of the Australian Open showcased impressive performances by fan favorites Jasmine Paolini and Maria Sakkari. Both players advanced to the second round after dominant straight-set victories.
Paolini and Sakkari’s Victorious Starts
No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini secured her place in the next round with a convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Paolini never trailed in the match, demonstrating exceptional focus and skill.
Meanwhile, former Top 10 player Maria Sakkari faced a more challenging start. She rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the first set against France’s Leolia Jeanjean but managed to clinch the match 6-4, 6-4. Sakkari’s resilience shone through as she won five consecutive games in both sets.
Key Match Statistics
- Break Points: Paolini faced only one break point but saved it decisively. Sasnovich also encountered one early in the match.
- Winners: Paolini hit 10 winners in just 13 games, while Sasnovich struggled with 39 unforced errors.
- Match Points: Paolini required four match points to advance.
- Match History: Paolini is now 13-12 in first rounds at Grand Slams and has enjoyed a nine-match winning streak.
- Grand Slam Participation: Paolini is competing in her 25th Grand Slam, while Sakkari is in her 40th.
Other Notable Performances
Other early winners included:
- Talia Gibson: Defeated Anna Blinkova 6-1, 6-3.
- Yulia Putintseva: Came back to win against Beatriz Haddad Maia, ending with scores of 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.
- Elena-Gabriela Ruse: Upset No. 26 seed Dayana Yastremska with a 6-4, 7-5 victory.
As the tournament progresses, both Paolini and Sakkari will aim to achieve their best results in Melbourne, as each seeks to surpass their previous fourth-round finishes.
