New Delhi: World no.1 Aryna Sabalenka made a perfect start to her campaign at the Australian Open 2026 with a dominant win over France’s Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Wednesday, January 18. Sabalenka defeated Rajaonah 6-4, 6-1 in straight sets to storm in the second round of the first Grand Slam of the year.
Vying for her third Australian Open title and a fourth straight Australian Open final, Sabalenka earned a comfortable victory over the French world no. 117 despite some valiant fight from her in the opening set. The 20-year-old wildcard gave her all in a bid to stop Sabalenka in the opening set, but ended up falling short.
In the first set, Rajaonah fought hard, but Sabalenka took advantage of her power and experience to break the French wild card’s serve. The world no.1 prevailed in the first set 6-4 and upped the ante in the second to end any hopes of a comeback from Rajaonah. Sabalenka’s powerful shots proved too much for Rajaonah as the Belarusian earned some easy winners.
Sabalenka won three of the final four games against Rakjaonah in the second set to wrap up a dominant win inside an hour and 16 minutes. Though it was a fight to be proud of for the French wildcard, two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka proved to be no match for her, thanks to her form and prowess.