The first round of the Australian Open men’s and women’s singles tournaments is underway in Melbourne after storms delayed play on the outside courts. Aryna Sabalenka took to the opening night session on Rod Laver Arena and defeated Sloane Stephens 6-2 6-3 to begin her title defence with a strong performance.

A battling Aryna Sabalenka survived an early wobble to beat Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday as the world number one began her bid for a historic hat-trick at the Australian Open. The Belarusian did not have it all her own way against the 2017 US Open champion Stephens on Rod Laver Arena.

Two-time defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has dazzled her adoring Melbourne fans with more than just her sublime tennis on return to Rod Laver Arena. The world No.1 was clinical, albeit below her best, in her 6-3, 6-2 victory over 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens.

Aryna Sabalenka marched into the 2nd round of the Australian Open 2025 after a dominating 6-3, 6-2 win over American Sloane Stephens on Sunday at the Rod Laver Arena. This was Sabalenka's 15th straight win at the Australian Open. She came into the first-round clash with two successive Australian Open title wins in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

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.

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 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.

The matches continued as scheduled on the three covered courts, and Sabalenka opened the night session on Rod Laver Arena with a 6-3 6-2 victory over former US Open champion Sloane Stephens.

Aryna Sabalenka opens her Australian Open title defence with a straight-set victory over American Sloane Stephens.

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.

Aryna Sabalenka began her Australian Open title defence with a display of power hitting to crush Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-2 on Sunday.

Two-time Open champion Aryna Sabalenka wasn't at her best but managed a straight sets victory over American Sloane Stephens in their round one clash.