Aurélien Canot, Media365, published on Sunday January 12, 2025 at 11:37 a.m.
Aryna Sabalenka had no problems this Sunday for her debut at the Australian Open. The world number 1 and double title holder in Melbourne left no chance (6-3, 6-2) to the American Sloane Stephens. The Belarusian will face the Spaniard Bouzas Maneiro.
Aryna Sabalenka without trembling. For her debut in this Australian Open, of which she has won the last two editions, the world number 1 had no problem (6-3, 6-2 victory) against Sloane Stephens. The former member of the Top 3 of the WTA ranking now occupies 84th place in the hierarchy only and plays tennis that is significantly inferior to that which allowed her to climb to 3rd place in the world at the height of her career a long time ago. a few years ago. However, the experienced 31-year-old American player remains a tough opponent capable of performing on a big day. This is also what Sabalenka feared, who however easily came out of this match for her entry into contention in Melbourne. Thanks in particular to a great start in this part – double entry break – the double title holder, who quickly led 4-0 in the first set, immediately sheltered herself from a possible reaction from Stephens, who also intervened (two breaks in a row there too) without preventing Sabalenka from taking the lead after having once again taken her opponent’s service.
Sabalenka uncompromising in the second set
In the second set, the huge favorite of the tournament again quickly took off (4-1 then 5-1) but this time without giving the American the possibility of returning to contact. Stephens returned to 5-2, this time keeping her face-off, but she stayed there, Sabalenka not missing her first opportunity to close the match from the very next game. It only took a match point for the world number 1 to validate her ticket – and beat Stephens for the fifth time in five matches – for the 2nd round where the Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro awaits her, 52nd in the ranking. The latter also took the upper hand in two sets (6-1, 7-6) on Sunday over the British Kartal, 87th in the world.
