Venus Williams Falls Just Short in Thrilling Australian Open Return, Sabalenka and Alcaraz Cruise Through
At 45 years old, Venus Williams nearly pulled off a comeback story for the ages. The seven-time Grand Slam champion came within two games of her first major win since 2021, only to be denied by a fearless rally from Olga Danilovic in the opening round of the Australian Open.
Williams led 4-0 in the final set, seemingly in full control. But Danilovic, down two breaks and facing a legend across the net, dug in. The 24-year-old Serb rattled off six straight games to take the match 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, delivering a gritty, emotional win on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
The defining moment came at 4-all in the third, with Williams serving to regain the lead. What followed was a 14-and-a-half-minute battle-eight deuces, relentless pressure, and finally, the break Danilovic needed. From there, she held her nerve to close it out, denying Williams a victory that would’ve been her first at a major in nearly three years.
Williams, ranked No. 576 in the world and playing on a wildcard, made history just by stepping on court-becoming the oldest player to compete in singles at the Australian Open. Her résumé in Melbourne includes finals appearances in 2003 and 2017, both times falling to her sister Serena.
This latest comeback had been slow to find traction. Williams entered the tournament on a five-match losing streak, her last win coming in Washington last year. But for a set and a half, she looked like the Venus of old-commanding the baseline, dictating play, and showing flashes of the power and poise that made her one of the game’s greats.
Danilovic, born after Williams made her Australian Open debut in 1998, showed remarkable composure in the face of history. “These things don’t happen every day,” she said afterward. “Playing against Venus Williams is something I cannot take for granted.”
She admitted to nerves, especially down 0-4 in the final set. “I just told myself, ‘Play point by point, take everything out, and fight.’” That mindset paid off in spades.
Danilovic now moves on to face either No. 3 seed Coco Gauff or Kamilla Rakhimova in the second round.
Sabalenka Settles In After Nervy Start
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka didn’t have the smoothest of starts, but she found her groove just in time.
Facing French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah, Sabalenka dropped the first game on serve and looked out of sorts early. But once she adjusted to the lefty’s rhythm and variety, the defending finalist powered her way to a 6-4, 6-1 win.
“She came out firing,” Sabalenka said. “It was a tricky start, but I’m super happy I found my rhythm at the end of the first set.”
Despite the unfamiliarity-Sabalenka admitted she hadn’t seen much of Rajaonah’s game beforehand-she leaned on her experience and heavy groundstrokes to take control. Once she settled in, the outcome was never in doubt.
The four-time major champ closed it out on her third match point and will now face Bai Zhuoxuan in the second round.
After the win, Sabalenka shared a light moment with the crowd, snapping a selfie with tennis royalty-Roger Federer and Rod Laver-who were watching from the front row.
“I kept telling myself, ‘Don’t look over there,’” she joked. “To have them watching my match… that’s just unbelievable.”
Alcaraz, Zverev, and Tiafoe Among Big Names Advancing
Carlos Alcaraz opened his Australian Open campaign with a statement win, dispatching local hope Adam Walton 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-2. The 22-year-old is chasing history-looking to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam-and he played like a man on a mission.
Alcaraz’s shot-making was on full display, mixing power, finesse, and court coverage in a performance that left little doubt about his readiness. He’ll face Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann in the second round.
Alexander Zverev had a bumpier ride. The 2023 finalist dropped the first set in a tiebreak to Gabriel Diallo but steadied himself to win 6-7 (7), 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. Once he found his rhythm, Zverev’s serve and forehand proved too much for the Canadian.
Frances Tiafoe also moved through in straight sets, defeating Jason Kubler 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-2, showing the kind of shot tolerance and aggression that make him a threat on hard courts.
In an all-American battle, Michael Zheng outlasted Sebastian Korda in five sets-6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (0), 6-3. Zheng, a standout at Columbia University, came through qualifying to make his main draw debut and showed impressive poise in a high-pressure setting. He’ll now face No. 32 seed Corentin Moutet, who had the crowd buzzing after using an underarm serve on match point in his win over Tristan Schoolkate.
Early Upsets Shake Up the Women's Draw
Day one wasn’t kind to a couple of seeded women.
No. 20 seed Marta Kostyuk fell in a marathon to Elsa Jacquemot, who rallied for a 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (9) win. Meanwhile, Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sönmez pulled off a major upset, knocking out 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.
Sönmez also earned praise for a moment of sportsmanship-pausing her match to assist a ballkid struggling in the heat before medical staff stepped in.
Elsewhere, No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini cruised past Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-1, 6-2, and Elina Svitolina, seeded 12th, advanced in straight sets as well.
What’s Next
With legends like Venus Williams still battling and rising stars like Alcaraz and Danilovic making their mark, the Australian Open is already delivering the drama and emotion fans crave. And we’re only through the first round. Buckle up-Melbourne is just getting started.