Women's singles first round
Fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka may have finally found her groove.
"Took me however many years to get this feeling," laughed the 24-year-old after sailing past Czech Tereza Martincova 6-1 6-4 on Tuesday.
The powerful right-hander thanked the Rod Laver Arena crowd for creating an "amazing" atmosphere, and credited a fruitful off-season for her winning start in 2023, Adelaide International 1 title included.
MORE: All the scores from Day 2 at AO 2023
That title propelled her confidence, but complacency is simply not in her vocabulary.
"I think I need to work on my mindset, I have to be calm and I have to just fight for every point and don’t get upset with every mistake I'm making," declared Sabalenka, who struck a 192km/h serve – the tournament's third-fastest behind Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff – during Tuesday's outing.
"I really believe that this is the only thing missing in my game," she said, seeming visibly more relaxed and admitting that she has learned to navigate Grand Slam pressure better.
"I like to take it step by step ... I know how to switch off from tennis.
“I'm really working hard physically, mentally…I'm ready to go deep,” said Sabalenka, who will meet Shelby Rogers in the second round after the American advanced with a 6-4 6-3 win over Arianne Hartono.
Kicking off proceedings on Margaret Court Area, 26th seed Elise Mertens secured a 3-6 7-6(3) 6-1 victory over former AO finalist Garbine Muguruza.
"I'm pretty glad I pulled through the second [set], it kind of made the match," said the Belgian, who crucially broke the Spaniard as she was serving at 6-5 in the second en route to maintaining her unbeaten streak in the round of 128 at Melbourne Park.
The 27-year-old, who outlasted Muguruza over two hours and 31 minutes, said she is no longer nursing the shoulder injury that affected her at the United Cup in Perth and in Hobart.
"It was 70 per cent, 75 per cent ... now it's 95-ish," she said, remarking that her confidence was boosted by her victory over the two-time major champion, as well as her ability to beat the heat.
An in-form Caroline Garcia had an easier time against Canadian qualifier Katherine Sebov, blasting 22 winners in her 6-3 6-0 victory.
"It's never easy to start the tournament," said the Lyon resident, confessing that she was a little tight during the first couple of games.
"There were nerves ... there will always be some, that mean[s] I care also about what I'm doing."
The fourth seed’s reward is a first-time clash against Canuck Leylah Fernandez, who scored her first Australian Open win in four attempts, ousting 2022 quarterfinalist Alize Cornet 7-5 6-2.
“It wasn't easy to play against a friend," said the Canadian of her French foe.
"I think I did well to manage my emotions, and then especially manage the heat."
Known for displaying composure well beyond her 20 years, Fernandez acknowledged a steady mental game, reinforced by her parents from a young age, has been a huge contributor to her achievements to date.
"The mental to the physical is three to one," she opined.
"It's hard. You're all alone out there on court. Most of the time you don't have a coach with you or the coach can't talk to you during the points ... you have to figure some things out, you have to be your own cheerleader, your own biggest critic, your own biggest supporter."
The youngster sees an abundance of upside ahead.
"I want to improve and I want to get better every day," she said.
"I want to see what my body and mind can do ... I just feel ready for the challenges that's coming in the next round."
Garcia is similarly looking forward to the battle ahead, describing Fernandez as a "very talented lefty."
“If you want to go all the way in a tournament or in a slam, you have to beat some tough players ... it’s a good test," she said on court.
"I will have to play my best tennis for sure ... [have] a good practice tomorrow, and then just go for it and try to be more aggressive than her," the right-hander added.
Elsewhere, 30th seed Karolina Pliskova, an AO2019 semifinalist, swept past Xiyu Wang 6-1 6-3.
"I have some great memories on this court overall in the last 15 years, since I won the juniors here," Pliskova said, referring to her 2010 girls' title.
"I missed it last year, so I'm happy to be back this year," added the former world no.1, who was sidelined with a wrist injury during AO 2022.