Collected photoMELBOURNE, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - An error-strewn Aryna Sabalenka made a stodgy start to her Australian Open title charge with a 6-4, 6-1 win over French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah on Sunday. The world number one, who is chasing a third Melbourne crown in four years, faces Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia or Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan next. Sabalenka, who is favourite to add a fifth Grand Slam title to her career haul, pulled back level but if she expected the spirited world number 118 to melt away, it did not immediately happen. The reigning US Open champion offered an apology to her underdog opponent at 4-4 when she unleashed a forehand into the 20-year-old's head. Sabalenka was stunned in the Melbourne final by Madison Keys of the United States a year ago.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 18, 2026 21:53 UTC