MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka launched her quest to become the first woman in 25 years to clinch three consecutive titles at the Australian Open, decisively defeating 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens with a score of 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday night, all in a swift 71 minutes.
This marks the first time Sabalenka holds the No. 1 seed at a Grand Slam event, and while she admitted, “I didn’t play my best, probably,” she still showcased a strong performance in her opening match.
Known for her powerful serves, Sabalenka didn’t record her first ace until the match reached its 15th game, ultimately finishing with just two aces in total.
She celebrated her first major title at Melbourne Park in 2023 and added another to her collection the following January, before capturing her third Slam trophy at the U.S. Open in September.
The last woman to triumph at the Australian Open three times in a row was the legendary Martina Hingis, who accomplished this feat from 1997 to 1999.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be back,” exclaimed Sabalenka. “This place holds a special place in my heart.”
Heading into the second round, Sabalenka is set to face Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, who famously upset reigning champion Marketa Vondrousova at Wimbledon in 2024.