Aryna Sabalenka won her first match at Australian Open.
Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s best tennis player, won her first match at the Australian Open by beating Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-2. Seeking to make history as the first woman since 1999 to win three straight Australian Open titles, the Belarusian swiftly defeated her American rival and added a celebratory dance during her on-court interview.
With Sabalenka’s TikTok dances at the Australian Open in mind, interviewer Jelena Dokic encouraged the three-time Grand Slam champion to entertain the crowd with a celebratory dance.
With the crowd clapping and music playing, Sabalenka pushed past her initial embarrassment to show off her dance moves, only to discover her Polaroid camera was out of the film when she tried to capture the moment.“I’m so thrilled to be back here. I love this place, and having a full stadium is just incredible—I couldn’t ask for more,” the 26-year-old said. “It was a challenging match. I don’t think I played my best, but I’m happy to have finished it in straight sets. This place truly feels like home.”
Sabalenka started the match with sheer dominance, overpowering Stephens and leaving her helpless as blistering shots zipped past on the baseline. The Belarusian broke Stephens twice to storm to a 4-0 lead in just seven minutes, hinting at a quick conclusion.
Aryna Sabalenka v Sloane Stephens Highlights
However, Stephens showed flashes of her US Open-winning brilliance, firing a stunning crosscourt forehand to earn her first break point, which she converted to halt Sabalenka’s momentum. She held serve and broke again to close the gap to 4-3.
Sabalenka regained control in the longest game of the set, breaking Stephens once more before comfortably holding serve to seal the opener.
Reflecting on the tense moments, she said, “I think I stepped back after a few games didn’t go well and gave her a chance to return. But at 4-3, I stepped in and moved forward to the net. That was the key to regaining control.”
The second set followed a similar script, with Sabalenka taking an early lead and securing a double break. This time, Stephens couldn’t mount a response as Sabalenka held firm, closing out the match with authority.
Next, Sabalenka will take on Spain’s Jéssica Bouzas Maneiro in the second round as she aims to become the first woman since Martina Hingis (1997–1999) to win three consecutive Australian Open titles. For more information visit here.
