📰 Table Of Contents
The Main Event
Aryna Sabalenka’s bid for a three-peat at the Australian Open gets underway tomorrow with the Belarusian opening her campaign against Sloane Stephens.
The world number one has not lost at Melbourne Park since a fourth-round defeat to Kaia Kanepi in 2022 and is the undisputed queen of the hard court having also won the US Open last year.
She is the overwhelming favorite to retain the trophy but is not interested in the perception she’s nigh-on unbeatable on this surface.
Our defending champion kicks off the first night session at Rod Laver ARYNA 🐯
Day 1 schedule 👇https://t.co/K5HKV3ryPh
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 10, 2025
“I’m not thinking about that kind of stuff,” said Sabalenka. “I’m just focusing on myself, trying to improve myself every day, and really hoping that I can continue doing what I’m doing at the grand slams.
“Of course, I know that I have the possibility of joining legends by winning three times in a row. Once again, I don’t want to overthink about that. I just want to do my job. Hopefully by the end of this tournament I’ll be super proud of myself and I’ll be able to put my name in the history books.”
The 26-year-old also says she is unflustered by the added pressure of trying to win the trophy for a third year running.
She added: “I think we’re all different. But for me, it’s just always been something about my character. I always liked to compete. I always liked to accept, like, really tough challenges.
“For me being the one to chase, I mean, I don’t know, I like it. I like that feeling. That’s what drives me and helps me to stay motivated because I know that I have a target on my back. I really like to have it. That’s why I work really hard, to make sure that nobody can get to me.”
Sabalenka may have picked an easier first-round opponent than Stephens, the former world number three now languishing at 84 in the rankings.
Admittedly, the American is not the same player that reached the semis in Melbourne in 2013, nor the one that won the US Open in 2017, but she still possesses formidable weapons that can trouble anyone in a one-off game.
Sabalenka has won all four previous meetings but a deciding set was required on three occasions. Their last encounter, at the French Open in 2023, was also a tight affair, Sabalenka prevailing 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.
She said: “We had great battles in the past. I think right now she kind of likes being in the mode of nothing to lose. She can play really great tennis. I expect a great battle. I’m looking forward to facing her again.”
Also in action
Sabalenka opens the tournament’s first night session and is followed on court by men’s second seed Alexander Zverev.
The German takes on Frenchman Lucas Pouille, who similar to Stephens, is a player with his best years behind him.
The action on Rod Laver Arena begins earlier with last year’s runner-up to Sabalenka, Qinwen Zheng taking on qualifier Anca Todoni with men’s sixth seed Casper Ruud then meeting Jaume Munar.
Order of Play
Rod Laver Arena
A Todoni v Q Zheng
C Ruud v J Munar
A Sabalenka v S Stephens
L Pouille v A Zverev
Margaret Court Arena
O Virtanen v A Fils
D Parry v D Vekic
J Lehecka v L Tu
A Blinkova v D Saville
How to watch
The Australian Open will be shown in the US on ESPN and the Tennis Channel. Check the listings for start times.
Predictions
It’s inconceivable to think Sabalenka will suffer a first-round exit but don’t expect Stephens to go down easily. No matter what she says, the top seed will feel additional pressure as the tournament favorite.
Sabalenka to win in two tight sets
Zverev will cruise past Pouille and set down a marker, particularly to Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, on the opening night.
Zverev in straight sets
Zheng and Ruud should also have few alarms with the seeds emerging unscathed.
