Dramatic Upsets and Strong Begins at Australian Open's First Day

The first day of the Australian Open witnessed surprising exits, strong performances, and an overwhelming attendance. Italian Flavio Cobolli and Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska were among the first seeds to fall. Meanwhile, players like Jasmine Paolini and Talia Gibson advanced confidently. Ground pass sales were paused due to high demand.

Day one of the Australian Open unfolded with unexpected and dramatic turns, featuring notable upsets and impressive starts. Flavio Cobolli, the Italian 20th seed, and Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine, a former semi-finalist at Melbourne Park, were among the early prominent exits. Cobolli struggled against British qualifier Arthur Fery, plagued by illness, while Yastremska succumbed to Romania's Elena-Gabriela Ruse.

Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini and Australian wildcard Talia Gibson began their Grand Slam campaigns on strong notes. Paolini swiftly overcame Aliaksandra Sasnovich, and Gibson, the first match winner in the main draw, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming crowd support after defeating Anna Blinkova.

Meanwhile, the unprecedented demand for event attendance led Tennis Australia to temporarily halt ground pass sales. Attendees could still procure stadium tickets to watch the unfolding tennis action, which began under bright sunshine on the main showcourts of Melbourne Park.

(With inputs from agencies.)