Australian Open Women’s Day 1

Two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka was home and dry on a stormy opening day in Melbourne, with the holder posting a 6-3, 6-2 thrashing of Sloane Stephens to start her campaign for a third consecutive title here.

The world No. 1 was all smiles after her night-match win in 71 minutes over 2017 US Open titleholder Stephens. 

“I’m happy to be back,” said the woman who began her 2025 season by winning the Brisbane title this month

“It’s always a tough match against her. I didn’t play my best tennis but I’m happy to do it in two sets.

Zheng Qinwen, the summer Paris Olympic gold medalist who lost the final here a year ago to Sabalenka, also advanced on schedule, defeating Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni 6-5 (23), 6-1.

Zheng finished it off on her first match point with an eighth ace.

Fittingly, last year’s ace leader Zheng converted her first match point with her eighth ace of the day.

“Actually, I (felt) really nervous,” the winner said. “I started to feel nervous already since yesterday, because I felt special emotion for Australian Open.

“When I feel nervous, actually, I  play better. I’m more concentrated. I make less unforced errors, mistakes.”

She added: “”It is a tough match today. “I’m just happy to get through the first round, playing not my best tennis.”

Teenaged Mirra Andreeva scored a victory, with the youngest player in the ranking top 20 defeating  Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-3 on the back of 27 winners.

The 17-year-old broke six times.

“I now also like to step in and finish the point at the net,” Andreeva said.”I’m not afraid to step on the court and to go forward and to try to be even more aggressive.

Other women’s winners on the day of rain delays included Croat Donna Vekic, former US open finalist Leylah Fernandez of Canada, Spain’s Paula Badosa and Dane Clara Tauson.

Main photo:- Aryna Sabalenka does a victory dance after first wound win – by WTATennis.com