BBC Sport · Jan 12, 2025
Sabalenka 'at home' as title defence starts with win
Image caption, Sabalenka will follow in the footsteps of Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles and Martina Hingis if she wins a third consecutive title in MelbourneAustralian Open 2025
Dates: 12-26 January Venue: Melbourne Park
Coverage: Live radio commentary on Tennis Breakfast from 07:00 GMT on BBC 5 Sports Extra, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app
Aryna Sabalenka says the Australian Open "feels like home" after she began her title defence with a straight-set victory over American Sloane Stephens.
The world number one and back-to-back champion in Melbourne defeated Stephens 6-3 6-2 in the first round on Rod Laver Arena.