MINSK, 14 January (BelTA) – Belarus' Aliaksandra Sasnovich, world number 31, has won the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne, BelTA has learned.
The Belarusian cruised past Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium (World No.50) 6-1, 6-1 in 58 minutes. Aliaksandra Sasnovich will next face Estonia's world number 20 Anett Kontaveit.
Belarus' world number 11 Aryna Sabalenka progressed to the second round after beating Russia's world number 146 Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-4. The Belarusian will take on Great Britain's Katie Boulter (WTA No.99) in the second round.
Vera Lapko (62) ended her women's singles run after losing to Sweden's world number 77 Johanna Larsson. Two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka (World No.53) of Belarus will play Laura Siegemund (World No.110) of Germany on 15 January.
In the men's singles Belarus' Ilya Ivashka (World No.84) will face Tunisia's world number 43 Malek Jaziri on 15 January.
