Aryna Sabalenka began her bid to become the first woman in a quarter-century to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, eliminating 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday night in just 71 minutes.

The Belarusian has now won her last 17 first-round matches at grand slams, last falling at the first hurdle at a major against Carla Suarez Navarro at the 2020 Australian Open

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka began her Australian Open title defense by defeating Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-2 in the first round on Sunday.