Aryna Sabalenka overcomes a nervy start in a first-round win at the Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka admitted she was a little bit nervous with Rod Laver and Roger Federer in the crowd for her first-round win at the Australian Open on Sunday.

The top-ranked Sabalenka, who won the Australian title in 2023 and ’24 and was runner-up last year to Madison Keys, lost the first three points and dropped her opening service game before rallying to beat Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-4, 6-1.

“I didn’t start my best. She showed up. Fired on. She...