World No. 1 Sabalenka dominates opener before star-studded celebration
Aryna Sabalenka defeated Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-4, 6-1 and made a legendary selfie on Sunday on the Rod Laver arena.
Aryna Sabalenka doing a legendary selfie | © Dita Alangkara/AP/SIPA
World No. 1 and two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka began her 2026 Australian Open campaign with a statement of intent on Sunday night, defeating French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-4, 6-1.
The Belarusian, who remains undefeated this season (6-0) after claiming the Brisbane title, showed exactly why she has reached three consecutive finals at Melbourne Park. Despite a brief early wobble where she was broken in the opening game, Sabalenka quickly recalibrated, using her trademark power to overwhelm the 20-year-old debutante.
After grinding out a competitive first set, she swept through the second in clinical fashion to improve her career record at the tournament to an impressive 29-6.
“the most iconic selfie in tennis”
Following the match, the “Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup” favorite celebrated in legendary style. Sabalenka paused on court to take a selfie with tennis icons Roger Federer and Rod Laver, who were watching from the front row of the arena that bears Laver’s name.
The image, described by fans as “the most iconic selfie in tennis,” captured a rare bridge between the sport’s greatest legends and its current dominant force. Sabalenka now awaits the winner of the match between the experienced Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Chinese qualifier Zhuoxuan Bai in the second round.
