Local wildcard Talia Gibson delivered the first victory of this year’s Australian Open, lighting up day one with a fearless performance. While top seeds Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka headline the evening session, Gibson stole the early spotlight with a stunning display on Kia Arena.
Her win came on a chaotic morning at Melbourne Park, where scorching sunshine and a sell out crowd created long queues. Thousands of fans were still stuck outside nearly two hours after play was scheduled to begin, struggling to make their way through the gates.
Inside, Gibson showed no hesitation. She blasted 43 winners across the court, overwhelming Anna Blinkova, who managed only five. Ranked 119th and sitting 57 places below her opponent, Gibson produced one of the standout performances of the opening day.
Emotion took over as she thanked the crowd for their support. “I couldn’t believe the number of people that were in here today. It just means a lot. Thank you so much,” she said.
The day also brought disappointment for Italian star Matteo Berrettini, who withdrew from his first round match against Alex de Minaur due to ongoing fitness issues.
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