Hady Habib had a fantastic first day at Melbourne Park to become the first Lebanese player to win a Grand Slam tournament.

Aryna Sabalenka started her bid for the Australian Open third place after defeating former US Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-2 in wet first-round conditions in Melbourne. consecutive championships.

Despite a powerful hitting display on Rod Laver Arena on Sunday, Sabalenka was far from her peak and was broken twice by the American in a wayward first set, but she With the help of a strong forehand, he stabilized his position and achieved his 15th consecutive victory in the game. Hard court slam.

Sabalenka, a standout hardcourt player in the women’s event, led Stephens 4-0 in the first set as fans remained in their seats to watch the first night of action on Center Court.

Although Stephens broke serve twice to chase the score to 4-3, Sabalenka regrouped and won the set with a strong attack at the net and her usual aggression.

Sabalenka will compete with Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Manero for a third-round berth as she becomes the first Australian Open player since Martina Hingis (1997-99) The woman who achieved “three consecutive championships”.

Meanwhile, men’s second seed Alexander Zverev barely had to step out of third gear as the German easily defeated Frenchman Lucas Pouille 6-4 6-4 6-4. Lucas Pouille).

Two-time Grand Slam runner-up Zverev has made no secret of his ambition to lift his first major title at Melbourne Park this year and the 2024 semi-finalist has already made his move.

Hadi Habib flies Lebanese flag

Lebanon’s Hadi Habib made history by becoming the first player from his country to win a Grand Slam match, defeating China’s Bouyuncho Kot in front of a wild crowd on Court 13.

Khabib, ranked 219th in the world, is the only Lebanese, male or female, ever to pass qualifying and enter the main draw of one of the four majors.

The 26-year-old continued his fairy-tale victory with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) victory before being draped in the Lebanese flag as he signed autographs.

“Honestly, this was probably one of the best days of my career,” Khabib said.

“It’s an incredible feeling to win this, not only for myself but for Lebanon and Lebanese tennis.

“As you can see, the crowd was absolutely crazy. Winning in front of them makes it even more special.”

Khabib was born in the United States to a Lebanese father. He has lived in Lebanon for several years since he was 6 years old, and has represented his country since his first Davis Cup appearance at the age of 15.

His reward was a second-round match against French 14th seed Ugo Humbert.

“This is a huge victory, especially with what we’re going through as a country,” Habib said.

Game suspended due to rain or thunderstorm

Earlier in the day, Olympic champion Jung Chin-moon, who lost to Sabalenka in last year’s final, advanced to the second round indoors, while men’s sixth seed Caspar Rudd and former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori Escaped the wet weather and scored five points. Achieve victory.

It was a different story on outdoor courts, with play ending less than an hour later in the morning and not resuming until more than six hours later in the evening.

Eight of the 32 scheduled singles matches have been cancelled, and organizers will be thankful for the buffer of an extra day added to last year’s event for the first time.

The men’s draw had two longer games. Norway’s Rudd defeated Jaume Munnar 6-3 1-6 7-5 2-6 6-1 to advance, and Japan’s Kei Nishikori advanced 4-6. 6-7(4) 7-5 6- won. 2 6-3 win over Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro.