Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka launched their Australian Open title bids with straight-sets wins but there was no fairytale for 45-year-old Venus Williams on Sunday.
On a hot Melbourne day in which a ball girl fainted, last years mens beaten finalist Alexander Zverev dropped a set before easing into the second round.
World number one Alcaraz joined him, the Spaniard beating 81st-ranked home player Adam Walton 6-3, 7-6 7/2, 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena.
