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Aus Open: Sabalenka Begins Title Defense With Straight Sets Win Over Stephens
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro: Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka began her Australian Open title defense with a straight sets 6-3, 6-2 victory over Sloane Stephens in the first round here on Sunday.
World no. 1 Sabalenka is bidding to become the first woman since Martina Hingis to pull off a three-peat in Melbourne. The Swiss star won three consecutive titles in the season's first major from 1997 to 1999.
Seeded No. 1 for the first time at a Grand Slam, Sabalenka is also looking to become the first top seed to win the Australian Open women's singles title since Ashleigh Barty sealed her home Slam in 2022, according to WTA stats.
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