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.

Aryna Sabalenka faced a former champion and some of her own demons in what proved to be a first-round match that was trickier than she and most observers expected.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka extended her Australian Open winning streak to 15 matches on a rain-soaked opening day at Melbourne Park. Less than an hour of play was possible on the outside courts before a huge thunderstorm hit Melbourne Park, sending spectators running for cover and causing a delay of more than six hours.

Aryna Sabalenka is officially up and running at the 2025 Australian Open with the defending champion taking down Sloane Stephens with relative ease 6-3, 6-2 to end Sunday's action on a rain delayed day in Melbourne.

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 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.

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.

World No. 1 and defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated Sloane Stephens in her first round match.