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There were plenty of big moments on the first day of the Australian Open. Here are some you might have missed – or that you might want to see again.
Aussie Talia Gibson achieves career-best win
Talia Gibson, a 21-year-old wildcard entry defeated Anna Blinkova – a Russian player ranked 57 spots higher than her – in round one of the Open on Sunday.
Tickled pink: Talia Gibson thanks the crowd after her straight-sets victory over Anna Blinkova.Credit: Eddie Jim
The straight-sets victory in one hour and 16 minutes is the first win Gibson has had over a top 70 player and propels her into a second-round meeting with either Czech Barbora Krejcikova or Russian Diana Shnaider.
Gibson’s was the first win – and therefore the first Australian win – of the tournament.
“It feels amazing. I’m absolutely over the moon,” she said.
Record attendance but lengthy lines
Tennis fans faced mammoth queues to enter Melbourne Park on Sunday, as more than 73,000 people descended on the precinct for the first day of this year’s Australian Open.
Lines to enter the grounds peaked from late morning until after lunchtime, with estimated wait times creeping over an hour.
Fans wait in long queues outside the Grand Slam Oval entrance on Sunday.Credit: Chris Hopkins
The Open announced a day session record crowd of 73,235. The previous record was less than 70,000 and set in 2019 in the middle of the tournament.
Danilovic defeats legend Venus Williams
Olga Danilovic pumped her fist after surviving a close call against US legend Venus Williams at John Cain Arena last night.
Danilovic lost the first set before claiming a tight win 6-7, 6-3, 6-4. Williams walked off the court to a standing ovation.
“It was such an amazing atmosphere, I knew most people were cheering for Venus, but I could see Serbian flags in the crowd as well,” Danilovic said in her courtside interview.
“That’s what I love about playing here, our people turn out in big numbers. It was electric playing here.”
Alcaraz and Sabalenka cruise through to second round
On Sunday night, two world No.1s Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz, clinched straight-sets victories, cruising through to the second round.
Sabalenka takes a selfie with Rod Laver and Roger Federer.Credit: AP
Alcaraz defeated Australia’s Adam Walton, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2, while Sabalenka clinched a 6-4, 6-1 victory.
She took a post-match “selfie” with tennis legends Rod Laver and Roger Federer, after politely requesting one during her on-court interview with Jelena Dokic.
