Aryna Sabalenka began her Australian Open title defence with a display of power hitting to crush Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-2 on Sunday. It was by no means peak Sabalenka, with the world number one broken twice by her American opponent in a wayward first set in the evening clash at Rod Laver Arena.

Aryna Sabalenka has started her bid to become the first woman in a quarter-century to win three consecutive Australian Open titles with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over 2017 U.S. 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-3,

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka extended her Australian Open winning streak to 15 matches on a rain-soaked opening day at Melbourne Park. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

By Ian Ransom MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Aryna Sabalenka launched her bid for a third successive Australian Open title with a storm of power hitting and a 6-3 6-2 demolition of former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens on Sunday.

Aryna Sabalenka powered past Sloane Stephens to begin her quest for a third consecutive Australian Open crown yesterday with Zheng Qinwen and Casper Ruud also winning as storms caused havoc on day one of the Grand Slam.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka battled through serving woes Wednesday to make the Australian Open third round, but it was a less-than-convincing display by the world number one.

Returning to Rod Laver Arena, the incoming Brisbane champion handed Stephens her ninth consecutive loss following a 6-3, 6-2 dismissal. Sabalenka has now won 28 of her past 29 hard-court matches at majors since the start of the 2023 season.

Victoria Azarenka, who won both of her Major titles in Melbourne, was beaten 6-2, 7-6 (2) in the first round by Lucia Bronzetti in one of the biggest upsets of the Australian Open 2025. She always gave her best here, so for the Belarusian to go out this early was astonishing.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP ... 6-2 victory over 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens. Sabalenka’s first-round victory on Sunday night lasted just 71 minutes. Sabalenka is seeded No ...

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP ... eliminating 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday night in just 71 minutes. Sabalenka is seeded No. 1 at a Grand Slam tournament for the ...