Aggressive Sabalenka storms on as rain mars Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka powered past Sloane Stephens to begin her quest for a third consecutive Australian Open crown Sunday with Zheng Qinwen and Casper Ruud also winning as storms caused havoc on day one of the Grand Slam.

- Agencies

MELBOURNE:

Belarusian top seed Sabalenka had a first-set wobble but was otherwise in control against 2017 US Open champion Stephens, romping home 6-3, 6-2 in 71 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

Sabalenka is aiming to become the first woman since Martina Hingis (1997-99) to win three consecutive titles at Melbourne Park.

If she lifts the winner's Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup again, she will join a select group of Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and Hingis as the only women to complete a three-peat. "Always tough matches against her," said Sabalenka, who won the Brisbane International in the lead-up. "I didn't play my best, probably, but I'm glad I was able to close the match in two sets."

Men's second seed Alexander Zverev rounds off the day one action later against the dangerous Lucas Pouille of France, who made the semi-finals in 2019 before losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.