World number three, Elena Rybakina, overcame a slow start and successfully saved multiple set points to secure a 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 victory against Karolina Pliskova in her opening match at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Pliskova, last year's beaten finalist, struggled initially, failing to get on the board in the first two games against her 38th-ranked Czech opponent, who made a strong start. However, the Kazakh third seed swiftly found her rhythm on Rod Laver Arena, breaking back to level the score.
The remainder of the set unfolded with both players holding their serves, with Pliskova defending three set points in the 12th game.
In the ensuing tie-break, Rybakina faced her own challenges against the two-time Grand Slam finalist, saving three set points, the last with a precise cross-court forehand that landed just on the line, ultimately winning the set 8-6.
Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and recent winner of the Brisbane International, broke Pliskova in the third game of the second set, gaining a strong hold on the match and facing few difficulties thereafter.
Looking ahead, Rybakina is set to face unseeded Russian Anna Blinkova in the second round, reflecting on a challenging but ultimately successful first outing at the tournament.
"I'm really happy that I managed to win and survive the first set," she said. "The second was a bit better."
She added: "No matter what the result was last year I'm super happy to be back. It was very positive for me even though I lost (in the 2023 final)."
(With AFP inputs)
