Maria Sakkari ends Grand Slam losing run as 16-year-old Czech Brenda Fruhvirtova makes history at Australian Open

Maria Sakkari won her first Grand Slam match in a year as she beat Nao Hibino in straight sets in the Australian Open first round.

World No. 8 Sakkari had lost her opening match at her previous three majors, but needed just 71 minutes to beat Hibino 6-4 6-1.

Sakkari has now reeled off four straight wins to start the year after going 3-0 at the United Cup with Greece.

“I lost in the first round in my last three Grand Slams so it was very difficult emotionally, but I am very happy that I managed to do the job right,” she said.

“I had a great pre-season. I feel young, powerful and very energetic. I really hope I can stay here as long as I can.”

Sakkari will next face Elina Avanesyan in the second round.

Brenda Fruhvirtova became the youngest woman to win an Australian Open main-draw singles match since Coco Gauff in 2020.

The 16-year-old looked emotional as she dropped to her knees in celebration following a 2-6 6-4 6-3 win over Ana Bogdan.

The world No. 107, who is the younger sister of 18-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova, is one of three 16-year-olds in the women’s draw along with Mirra Andreeva and Alina Korneeva.

She could next face defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

British No. 2 Jodie Burrage lost nine of the last 10 games as she was beaten by Tamara Korpatsch.

Burrage was the first British player in action at the Australian Open and started well as she won the first set against the world No. 80.

But Korpatsch broke twice in the second set to level the contest before running away with the deciding set to win 2-6 6-3 6-0.

The other six Brits in the singles draws, including Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu, play on either Monday or Tuesday.

Barbora Krejcikova fought back to beat Japanese wild card Mai Hontama in three sets.

Ninth seed Krejcikova lost five games in a row in the first set and was broken to start the second and third sets.

However, she finished strongly to ensure she advanced to the next round.

“I’m really happy with the way how I was able to turn around the second set, with the way how I switched my game,” said Krejcikova.

“I think the second set was maybe the key, and then I feel in the third, definitely the break at 4-3 was the key to get the win.”

Leylah Fernandez is hoping having more “fun” will lead to a best-ever Australian Open showing.

The 2021 US Open runner-up won her opening match 7-6(5) 6-2 against qualifier Sara Bejlek.

“I’ve never had excellent results in Australia, but I think every year I’m just learning little by little about my mistakes, what I’ve done right, what I’ve done wrong,” said Fernandez, who hasn’t yet made it past the second round in Melbourne.

“This year I think we just wanted to come out here and just have fun. I love playing in the summer so I’m just going to play and have fun out there, and hopefully the results are coming my way.”

Fernandez will next play American Alycia Parks, who beat Daria Snigur 2-6 6-2 6-4 on her main-draw debut at the Australian Open.