Australian Open Day 1: Rain Delays and Sabalenka's Dominance

The 2025 Australian Open got off to a soggy start as persistent rain showers caused delays and disruptions on the first day of the tournament.

Play on outside courts was suspended multiple times, with many matches being moved indoors or postponed until later in the day. The rain also caused scheduling chaos, with some players facing long waits between matches.

Despite the challenging conditions, some players were able to shine on the court. Aryna Sabalenka, the second seed from Belarus, cruised through her first-round match against qualifier Katarina Zavatska, winning 6-2, 6-1 in just over an hour.

Sabalenka, who is aiming to win her first Australian Open title, was in dominant form throughout the match, hitting 26 winners and converting five of her six break points.

Other players who advanced to the second round included defending champion Rafael Nadal, who defeated American Jack Sock in straight sets, and Australian wildcard Alexei Popyrin, who upset Frenchman Ugo Humbert in a thrilling five-set match.

The rain is expected to continue throughout the week, with more disruptions likely. Tournament officials are monitoring the situation closely and will make every effort to ensure that the remaining matches are played as scheduled.

Stay tuned to our live blog for the latest updates and results from the Australian Open.