Alcaraz and Sabalenka through as fans fume on steamy day one at Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Jan 18 : Star attractions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka progressed into the second round of the Australian Open on Sunday as disgruntled fans fumed over long queues and a surprise ticket sales halt on a blockbuster opening day of the tournament.

The record 100,763 fans who did pack into the Melbourne Park precinct witnessed first-round wins for men's third seed Alexander Zverev and 10th seed Alexander Bublik, as well as a quickfire victory for women's seventh seed Jasmine Paolini.

Venus Williams was given a standing ovation when she came out on court to face Olga Danilovic on her first visit to Melbourne Park since 2021 but the 45-year-old blew a 4-0 lead in the deciding set to bow out 6-7(5) 6-3 6-4.

Alcaraz, seeking his first Melbourne title to complete a career Grand Slam, blew off the rust in the final match of the day on Rod Laver Arena with a 6-3 7-6(2) 6-2 win over plucky Australian Adam Walton.

The Spanish world number one decided not to play an official warm-up tournament and it showed in his first tour-level match for nine weeks, particularly in the second set when he struggled to maintain his concentration.

"I just stayed at home," the 22-year-old said of his long break.

"I used to practise the whole morning (and) I took almost every afternoon off to do whatever I wanted - stay with family or friends, play board games and chilling at home.

"It's a better way to recharge the batteries, staying at home with the people you love."

Sabalenka preceded Alcaraz on the main showcourt and downed French debutante Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah 6-4 6-1 before taking a selfie with tennis greats Roger Federer and Rod Laver.

The Belarusian, who warmed up for her bid for a third Australian Open crown with a second