<p>Melbourne: Aryna Sabalenka began her <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/australian-open">Australian Open</a> title defence with a display of power hitting to crush Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-2 on Sunday.</p><p>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.</p>.Rain wreaks havoc on opening day of Australian Open.<p>The Belarusian steadied with the help of her pulverising forehand, though, to claim her 15th successive win at hard court Grand Slams in one hour and 11 minutes.</p><p>She will next play Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro for a place in the third round.</p>
<p>Melbourne: Aryna Sabalenka began her <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/australian-open">Australian Open</a> title defence with a display of power hitting to crush Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-2 on Sunday.</p><p>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.</p>.Rain wreaks havoc on opening day of Australian Open.<p>The Belarusian steadied with the help of her pulverising forehand, though, to claim her 15th successive win at hard court Grand Slams in one hour and 11 minutes.</p><p>She will next play Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro for a place in the third round.</p>