Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus has launched her charge for a third consecutive Australian Open title with an impressive 6-3, 6-2 victory over former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens from the U.S. on Sunday.
Despite a shaky start, where Stephens managed to break Sabalenka twice in a wayward first set at Rod Laver Arena, the world number one regained her composure and unleashed her signature powerful forehand to secure the win.
Sabalenka celebrated her 15th consecutive win at hardcourt Grand Slams, showcasing why she's the standout hardcourt player in women's tennis. Speaking about her love for Rod Laver Arena, where she has already lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup twice, she said, \"I think I just love the people, love the crowd. I love all the support I feel during basically every match I played there. It's just an incredible feeling. I just want to keep winning as long as I can just to feel the atmosphere.\"
The match began with Sabalenka taking a dominant 4-0 lead, leaving fans thrilled even as they were still settling into their seats for the first evening match on center court. Though Stephens clawed back to 4-3, Sabalenka's strong net play and aggressive style sealed the first set.
A few years ago, Sabalenka might have let her emotions get the best of her after losing a few games, but she has since honed her mental toughness. \"In that moment I would get frustrated and probably would lose the first set,\" she told reporters. \"I'm really glad that I improved my mental toughness, let's say.\"
In the second set, Sabalenka continued her relentless play, breaking Stephens early with a slick drop-shot chipped crosscourt from the baseline. Stephens struggled to keep up, ultimately throwing her racket in resignation before bowing out after 71 minutes.
Next up, Sabalenka will face Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro for a spot in the third round, as she aims to become the first woman to achieve an Australian Open 'threepeat' since Martina Hingis did so between 1997 and 1999.
Meanwhile, China's Wang Xinyu was ousted in the first round by Spain's Paula Badosa with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (5). Wang led early in the second-set tiebreak but couldn't hold her nerve against Badosa's high-pressure play.
Wang reflected on her performance, saying, \"She's a very aggressive type of player, but actually today I felt more like I was more aggressive. So I gained some points and then there were some errors, but I feel like this is the tennis I want to play.\"
NewspaperAmigo – Your Global News Buddy 
