Alcaraz, Sabalenka win Melbourne openersAFP, MELBOURNETop-ranked Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka yesterday launched their Australian Open title bids with straight-sets wins, but there was no fairytale for 45-year-old Venus Williams. Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz reacts during his Australian Open men’s singles first-round match against Australia’s Adam Walton in Melbourne yesterday. Photo: AFPAlcaraz, who is desperate to win the Australian Open to complete the career Grand Slam of all four majors, plays Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann next. Sabalenka began her bid for a third Australian Open title in four years with a patchy start before coming good in the second set. The seven-time major champion was the oldest woman to play in the history of the Australian Open.
