Australian Open 2025 as it happened: Aussie beaten in epic five-setter; Saville’s open on the edge; Zverev eliminates former semi-finalist

Aryna Sabalenka opened her bid for a third straight Australian Open title with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Sloane Stephens on Sunday after rain had washed away a good chunk of play on the opening day at Melbourne Park.

The top seed did not have it all her own way against the 2017 US Open champion but wrapped up the win in little more than an hour on Rod Laver Arena, one of three courts where play continued under closed roofs during the deluge.

Men’s second seed Alexander Zverev, seeking a maiden grand slam title, made a dominant start to his bid as he closed out the evening session on the main show court with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory over 2019 semi-finalist Lucas Pouille.

Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, who lost to Sabalenka in last year’s final, reached the second round indoors, while men’s sixth seed Casper Ruud and former world No.4 Kei Nishikori dodged the wet weather to secure five-set victories.

It was another matter on the outside courts where play ended after less than an hour in the morning and did not resume until more than six hours later in the early evening.

Eight of the 32 scheduled singles matches were scratched and organisers will be giving thanks for the cushion of the extra day which was first added to the tournament last year.

One of the benefits of winning three grand slam titles is preferential scheduling and the roof of Rod Laver Arena was open again to the evening sun as Sabalenka took to court to face American Stephens.

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Daria Saville’s Australian Open is over after she fell to Anna Blinkova 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 at Margaret Court Arena on Sunday night. In a clash which crossed over to Monday and ended just before 12.30am, Saville wasted a break of serve in the final set and later had her own serve broken in what was to prove the final game of the match. Her inability to play aggressive tennis when the contest was in the balance, as was the case in the second set, proved costly.

On her way: Anna Blinkova has advanced into the second round.Credit: Getty Images

Adam Walton has squandered a superb start to fall 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-7, 5-7, allowing Frenchman Quentin Halys to advance into the second round of the Australian Open for the third time in his career. Halys’ serving was pivotal to the win, for he had a 31-11 advantage in aces, in a match which finished just after midnight.

All over: Adam Walton’s Australian Open is over.Credit: Getty Images

Halys has broken Walton with a backhand down the line, and will now serve for the match on court three.

Meanwhile, Daria Saville faces a fight to retain serve in the eighth game of the final set.

Muscle memory: Daria Saville.Credit: Getty Images

It’s now 5-5 in the fifth set, with Walton on serve. He needs to hold here, and hopefully then pressure Halys.

Holding on: Adam WaltonCredit: Getty Images

We’re still cheering on Daria Saville and Adam Walton deep into the deciding sets of their respective matches. It’s late, and we’re tired, but this is what the Australian Open is all about - late nights, and hoping our locals get through the opening rounds. Walton and Halys are locked at 4-4, while Saville, having wasted an early break, is locked at 3-3 with Blinkova.

Daria Saville has broken Anna Blinkova’s serve in third game of the third set to take a 2-1 lead. She has then held serve. Can she power home?

Alexander Zverev has claimed a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over Frenchman Lucas Pouille in two hours, 21 minutes at Rod Laver Arena. Zverev was in fine form on serve, crunching 18 aces to three.

The German was also in good form off the court when asked about the new coaches’ pods stationed on court, so players can now take more directions through the match.

Into the second round: German star Alexander Zverev.Credit: Getty Images

“I hate it - I don’t want to see them too much in my life,” Zverev joked when asked about the change. He is, of course, coached by his father.

“What am I going to say at Christmas dinner about the Australian Open? Their bags are packed ... I say you are not coming. I can’t do that.”

Daria Saville has squandered her good work of the first set to drop the second, 6-4, against Anna Blinkova. Trailing 30-40 in the tenth game, Saville had a ball toss issue with her first serve, then delivered a fault, before a series of tentative ground strokes cost her game the game - and set. We’re heading into the third.

If you’re still at Melbourne Park, it’s worth heading to court 3, where Australian Adam Walton and Frenchman Quentin Halys are going stroke for stroke in a taxing fourth set. Halys hold serve, leads 6-5.

Eyes on the prize: Adam Walton.Credit: Getty Images