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Sakkari was eliminated in the first round at the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open
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Venue: Melbourne Park. Dates: 14th – 28th January |
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Coverage: Tennis Breakfast commentary daily from 07:00 GMT on Radio 5 Sports Extra and ` Sounds, with selected live text commentary and match reports on the ` Sport website and app |
Eighth seed Greek Maria Sakkari won her first Grand Slam match in a year with a victory over Japan's Nao Hibino at the Australian Open.
The 28-year-old was eliminated in the first round of the last three Grand Slams but needed just 71 minutes to win 6-4 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena.
“It was a difficult game emotionally, but I’m happy,” she said.
Later on Sunday, Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka begins her title defense against Germany's Ella Seidel.
Danish wildcard player and 2018 Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki will face Poland's Magda Linette in her first Melbourne Grand Slam match since coming out of retirement, as she secured her place in the last 16 of the US Open last year want to improve year.
Sakkari, who will face Russia's Elina Avanesyan in the second round, endured a difficult 2023 with early exits at all four majors. Her best result at a Grand Slam came in Melbourne, where she reached the third round.
But she managed to dispel any nerves with a dominant performance and sailed to victory without losing a point on her first serve in the second set.
“You are always nervous and want to perform well. When you're one of the top seeds, you always play with players who play well against you. It was an emotionally difficult game today, but I'm glad I made it.” “I'm doing the job right and playing a good second set,” she said.
Sakkari has now won her first four games of the year for the first time since 2021 after claiming three wins for her country in the United Cup.
Elsewhere, Czech Brenda Fruhvirtova became the youngest woman to win a singles match in the main draw of the Australian Open since American Coco Gauff in 2020.
The 16-year-old looked emotional as she secured a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over Romania's Ana Bogdan and could next face defending champion Sabalenka.
France's Alize Cornet was eliminated in the first round, losing 2-6, 6-4 to qualifier Maria Timofeeva, while ninth-seeded Czech Barbora Krejcikova came from behind to defeat Japan's Mai Hontama 2-6, 6-4 , defeated 6:3 and will next face the German Tamara Korpatsch, who eliminated the British Jodie Burrage on the first day.
The Australian Open has been extended to 15 days this year to avoid late placings – this is its first Sunday start.
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