Name: Sabalenka advances with legends Federer and Laver watching
Uploaded: 2026-01-18T18:20:06.684Z
Duration: 1 min
Description: World number one Irina Sabalenka overcame a slow start to defeat Tiansoa Rakotomanga Rajaona at Rod Laver Arena, with tennis icons Roger Federer and Rod Laver in attendance.

World number one Irina Sabalenka overcame a slow start to defeat Tiansoa Rakotomanga Rajaona at Rod Laver Arena, with tennis icons Roger Federer and Rod Laver in attendance.

Irina Sabalenka, ranked world number one, secured a straight-sets victory over French wild card Tiansoa Rakotomanga Rajaona at Rod Laver Arena. Despite dropping her opening service game and struggling early, Sabalenka found her rhythm and won 6-4, 6-1.

The match was notable for the presence of tennis legends Roger Federer and Rod Laver in the front row. Sabalenka, a two-time champion, expressed her amazement at playing in front of the icons as she advanced to the second round.

Sabalenka advances with legends Federer and Laver watching

Rod Laver Arena, two tennis legends in the front row, and Irina Sabalenka trying not to look. The world number one dropped her opening service game against French wild card Tiansoa Rakotomanga Rajaona, struggling to find her rhythm. I didn't really start at my best and I was struggling to find my rhythm but then I feel like in the last two games of the first set I found my rhythm and I was able to step in and to play a little bit better tennis. 22 trips to the net, serve and volley. Unpredictable aggression. Sabalenka worked the crowd and impressed the icons watching. I was the whole match I was just telling myself do not look there please, do not look. But yeah it's incredible, I would never thought that Roger Feather and Rod Laver are going to be sitting first row watching my match. She rallied to win 6-4, 6-1. The two-time champion through to round two. Legends and all.

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