In an exciting start to the Australian Open, top-ranked Iga Swiatek showcased her resilience by defeating former champion Sofia Kenin in the first round. The match was a test of Swiatek's title hopes, but she emerged victorious with a 7-6 (2), 6-2 win.
Kenin, who triumphed at the tournament in 2020, served for the first set at 5-4 but failed to close it out. Swiatek capitalized on the opportunity, taking the set in a tiebreaker. The No. 1 seed then broke Kenin's serve in the fifth game of the second set and managed to hold on for the win.
