Australian Open 2025, Day 1 Highlights: Sabalenka, Zverev Win Easy; Nagal Ousted In First Round

Among the multiple storylines that have sprung up at Australian Open 2025, a central one remains Novak Djokovic's quest for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, 11th Melbourne Pak crown, and 100th career singles title. He faces 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy from the United States of America in round 1, but on Monday.

Before that, a number of other stars are in action, including women's singles defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian world number one will be up against Sloane Stephens of the USA on Sunday afternoon. Alexander Zverev, meanwhile meets France's Lucas Pouille and sixth seed Casper Ruud braces for Spain's Jaume Munar.

Women's Singles:

Qinwen Zheng vs Anca Todoni: 6am IST

Aryna Sabalenka vs Sloane Stephens: 1:30pm IST

Men's Singles:

Casper Ruud vs Jaume Munar: 7:30am IST

Alexander Zverev vs Lucas Pouille: 2:40pm IST

Indian Interest

Sumit Nagal vs Tomas Machac: 7:50am IST

Note: Timings are tentative and subject to change, based on when previous matches end.

Heavy rain forced the suspension of matches on outside courts Sunday about an hour into the first day of the Australian Open. Zheng Qinwen, the Olympic champion and runner-up last year, was able to continue playing 20-year-old qualifier Anca Todoni on Rod Laver Arena, one of three covered stadiums at Melbourne Park.

Russian Mirra Andreeva became the 1st woman to reach second round at the Australian Open 2025, beating Czech Maria Bouzkova 6-3, 6-3 in Melbourne.

Casper Ruud and Kei Nishikori are in action in their 1st round ties at the Australian Open. Ruud is playing at the Rod Laver Arena whereas the Nishikori vs Monteiro game is being played at the John Cain Arena.

Sumit Nagal's match against world no. 26 Tomas Machac in the first round (men's singles) of the 2025 Australian Open has been delayed due to weather conditions.

Kei Nishikori defeated his Brazilian opponent T. Monteiro in the 1st round, whereas Casper Ruud is on the verge of victory in the fifth and final set against J Munar.

After overcoming some hiccups late in the opening set of her first-round match on a stormy Day 1 at the season라이브 바카라 first major tennis tournament, Zheng Qinwen came through with a 7-6 (3), 6-1 victory against Anca Todoni in her 1st round match.

Paula Badosa is in action and has taken the 1st set 6-3 against her Chinese opponent X. Wang at the John Cain Arena.

World no 1 in women's rankings and reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka has raced to a 4-2 lead against her American opponent.

Track the scores here

The world no 1 is nearing victory against Sloane Stephens in the 1st round of the Australian Open 2025. Elsewhere, Paula Badosa too advanced to the 2nd round.

Aryna Sabalenka has defeated USA's Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-3 in the 1st round.

India's top ranked singles player is in trouble as he has already lost the first two sets of the match against Tomas Machac. Nagal has lost 3-6, 1-6 in the opening two sets.

Kei Nishikori was playing at the Australian Open for the first time in four years and twice faced match points that could have ended his tournament in straight sets.

He really wanted to stay. The 2014 U.S. Open runner-up fended off both match points and held in the 10th game of the third set, and rallied for a 4-6, 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 win over Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro in just over four hours. (AP)

Sixth seed Casper Ruud has defeated Jaume Munar after a lengthy back and forth. Ruud was stretched to five sets and finally prevailed 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1.

Alexander Zverev has started strongly in his first round clash against Lucas Pouille. He has just wrapped up the first set in his favour with the scoreline reading 6-4.

Sumit Nagal has been shown the exit door in the very first round. He showed some fight in the third set but Tomas Machac was just too good for him. Nagal finally lost 3-6, 1-6, 5-7.

Alexander Zverev has won the second set as well. 6-4, 6-4 the scoreline so far in the match between Zverev and Lucas Pouille.

Nagal, ranked 91st, started the match confidently, dropping just two points in his first three service games.

However, a double fault and a string of forced and unforced errors saw him lose his serve in the seventh and ninth games, handing Machac the opening set.

In the second set, Nagal had an early chance to break Machac in the opening game, but the Czech player held firm, saving the breakpoint.

From there, Machac seized control, wrapping up the set in just 36 minutes as Nagal struggled to keep up.

Trailing by two sets, Nagal mounted a spirited fightback in the third set, securing an early break and racing to a 3-0 lead, which he extended to 5-3.

However, a flurry of errors, including another double fault, allowed Machac to stage a comeback with a crucial break.

Alexander Zverev advances. A smooth start for the German. He beats Lucas Pouille 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in straight sets to get through to the next round.

The last match of Day 1's rescheduled play is currently on. Anna Blinkova and Daria Saville are battling it out in women's singles clash that is going down to the wire. Saville is serving with the score at 6-1, 4-6, 4-5, so it is as close as it gets.

Blinkova emerges triumphant against Saville. She breaks the Aussie's serve in the third set eventually to win 1-6, 6-4, 7-5. Amd with that, the first day's play at Melbourne Park comes to an end. Thanks for joining us, we will be back with live updates tomorrow. Until then, goodbye.