Aryna Sabalenka advances to Australian Open second round at Melbourne Park

Each time Aryna Sabalenka steps on court, the world number one creates the impression she is riding an emotional roller coaster.

This was evident when she met French wildcard Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah in the Australian Open first round on Sunday evening.

When serving in the opening game of the match, she produced a look of utter despair after losing consecutive points.

Sabalenka's facial expression suggested she was facing match point, instead of trailing 0-30 with only a minute of play on the clock.

As a topsy-turvy first set continued, she regularly gestured towards her box and more than once stood on the baseline with arms outstretched in frustration.

Her many supporters among the crowd were riveted, with shouts of "C'mon Saba!" frequently issued from inside Rod Laver Arena.

Leading character

If tennis is drama, Sabalenka is a worthy lead as she is compulsive viewing.

But amid the theatrics, the 27-year-old had reason to celebrate as she unleashed a scorching brand of tennis.

The four-time major singles winner reeled off punishing groundstrokes, including a sublime forehand to win the seventh game of the first set, and showed impressive court coverage when her opponent opted to use drop shots.

It was enough to leave Sabalenka satisfied as she reflected on a clinical 6-4, 6-1 win, moving her a step closer to a third Australian Open title in four years.

"You're always kind of trying to figure out where you are [in the first round]," Sabalenka told her post-match media conference at Melbourne Park.

"Also, she was an opponent that I never played before. I haven't really watched her games before.

"I didn't really know much about her. I was just struggling to find the rhythm of her shots.

"I'm happy that I could manage and I could get this win in straight sets."

Strategy built on variety

Against the 118th-ranked Rakotomanga Rajaonah, Sabalenka showed she does not need to rely solely on the enormous power she generates through her serve and groundstrokes.

Her strategy was built on variety, illustrated by the fact she made 22 visits to the net, winning the point on 16 occasions with crisp volleying.

"I was definitely working on serve and volley," Sabalenka said.

"I'm super happy to be able to do it in the match."

Sabalenka is mindful she always needs to be adding layers to her game, given her position at the top of the WTA rankings.

There is no shortage of candidates wanting to knock Sabalenka off her perch, with former world number one and six-time major champion, Iga Świątek, leading the chasing pack.

"I think it's very important to always be working on your game," Sabalenka said.

"Always developing as a player, always searching for something that is new that is going to help your game.

"I think that's the key to being consistent, always bring something new on the table.

"I think over the years we've developed my game so much. We added a lot of new things.

"I'm proud of the work we've done together with my team."

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