Australian Open 2024, Day 1 Highlights: Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka clinch contrasting wins in first round

2021 champion Aryna Sabalenka has laid down an early marker. She has decimated qualifier Ella Seidel 6-0, 6-1 in the women's singles first round. 

Meanwhile, Frances Tiafoe, the 17th seed, has beaten Borna Coric in a hard-fought men's singles first-round match. He wins 6-3, 7-6, 2-6, 6-3. 

Aryna Sabalenka is sending out a strong signal of intent here. She is leading 6-0, 4-0 without taking back a reply. Ella Sidel looks jolted. This is domination at its best. 

American star Frances Tiafoe had to work hard to win the second set after it went to a tie-breaker. He has now lost the 3rd set 2-6 to Borna Coric, who is looking for a comeback this season. Coric has broken Tiafoe's serve early in the 4th set. This is proving to be a cracker at the Margaret Court Arena. 

2021 champion Arnya Sabalenka is on a mission in Melbourne. She is up 3-0 in the first set of her frist-round match against German qualifier Ella Seidel. This might be an early finish to the action at the Rod Laver Arena after the 4-hour marathon between Novak Djokovic and Dino Prizmic. 

Defending champion Novak Djokovic has advanced to the second round following a marathon battle with Dino Prizmic. The Serb beat Prizmic 6-2, 7-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a 4-hour long match.

Novak Djokovic is not going anywhere. He was down a break in the third set, but he bounces back to win it 6-3.  A huge roar from Djokovic as he goes ahead in the first-round match.

Regardless of how the match goes on from here, Dino Prizmic has given a good account of himself, lighting up the atmosphere in Melbourne. 

USA's Frances Tiafoe has won the first set 6-3 against Borna Coric of Croatia.

Novak Djokovic seems to be under a bit of pressure after losing the second set against qualifier Dino Prizmic in the first round. 

With the scorecard reading 6-2, 6-7, an upset in the first round cannot be ruled out. 

World No.1 Novak Djokovic won his first set 6-2 against Dino Prizmic at the Rod Laver Arena. 

Novak Djokovic is up against qualifier Dino Prizmic in his first round match at the Rod Laver Arena. 

5th seed Andrey Rublev survived a scare from Brazil's Thiago Seyboth Wild to emerge victorious in round 1. Rublev beat Seyboth Wild 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 to advance to the next round.

USA's Amanda Anisimova won her first set 6-4 against Luidmila Samsonova at Show Court Arena. 

Taylor Fritz is currently up against Facundo Diaz Acosta of Argentina and lost the opening set 4-6. 

Andrey Rublev is in command against Thiago Seyboth Wild, winning the first 2 sets 7-5, 6-4. 

However, Wild is leading the third set 4-1. 

World number 8 Maria Sakkari advances to the next round with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Japan's Nao Hibino. 

Maria Sakkari looked positive in her opening set of Round 1 against Nao Hibino. She won 6-4 and is a set away from a berth in the next round. 

Andrey Rublev has taken the opening set 7-5 against Thiago Seyboth Wild to make a brilliant start. 

Greek star Maria Sakkari is facing Japan's Nao Hibino in the first round match at the Rod Laver Arena. Sakkari made 3 first-round exits in Grand Slams last year and will want to make amends. 

No.5 seed Andrey Rublev is currently up against Thiago Seyboth Wild in the first round match at the Margaret Court Arena. 

No.4 seed Jannik Sinner put in a comprehensive showing as he defeated Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 to make his way through to the second round.