Aryna Sabalenka began her Australian Open title defence with a display of power hitting to crush Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-2 on Sunday. It was by no means peak Sabalenka, with the world number one broken twice by her American opponent in a wayward first set in the evening clash at Rod Laver Arena.

Aryna Sabalenka has started her bid to become the first woman in a quarter-century to win three consecutive Australian Open titles with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over 2017 U.S.

Blinkova produced one of the moments of the 2024 Australian Open, when she won a 42-point match tiebreak against Elena Rybakina in the third round. Blinkova will face a different kind of challenge from the partisan crowd on Margaret Court Arena, as Saville attempts to reach the second round at her home major for the second time.