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 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,

Aryna Sabalenka struggled a bit in her opening match at the Australian Open but ultimately managed to beat former world No. 3 Sloane Stephens in two sets 6-3 6-2. Throughout the match, the top seed was creating chances on the return and she earned a total of 13 break points and converted five.

Aryna Sabalenka makes winning start at Australian Open as she targets hat-trick of crowns at Melbourne Park; watch all the action from the ATP and WTA Tours on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+ which is integrated into Sky TV,

Sabalenka will soon embark on her quest for three consecutive titles at the Australian Open. To highlight that exciting story, Nike dropped an advertisement that is already an instant classic. Check out the 40-second Instagram video below.

Aryna Sabalenka is gunning for a fifth title on Australian soil, and she is the first player to reel off 15 straight match wins in the Australian Open women's singles since Victoria Azarenka between 2

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 takes on Sloane Stephens in the first-round match of the Australia Open 2025 on Sunday. Here are the live streaming and other details of the women's singles tennis match

The Australian Open is here, with the top half of the women’s draw and the bottom half of the men’s draw opening proceedings in Melbourne. Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka headlines the first day, with Americans and Australians alike looking to cause upsets and men’s second seed Alexander Zverev looking to take his first step towards a debut major win.