Aryna Sabalenka began her Australian Open title defence with a display of power hitting to crush Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-2 on Sunday. 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. The Belarusian
Aryna Sabalenka began her Australian Open title defence with a display of power hitting to crush Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-2 on Sunday.
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.
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.
She will next play Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro for a place in the third round.
Meanwhile, Casper Ruud is a three-times Grand Slam finalist who has played the greats of the game on the biggest of stages, but the world number six admitted his pulse was racing when he went down on one knee to propose to his long-time girlfriend.
Ruud, who beat Jaume Munar 6-3 1-6 7-5 2-6 6-1 in the first round of the Australian Open on Sunday, had announced his engagement to Maria Galligani in November and his fiancee was watching on as he marched into the second round.
When the Norwegian was asked if he was more nervous while playing Rafa Nadal in the French Open final or asking his girlfriend to marry him, he visibly tensed up, stuttering in his on-court interview at Rod Laver Arena.
“The pulse got up there when you’re about to go down on your knees, it was a great moment. I’m nervous now when you ask me about it,” a smiling Ruud said.
“I’ll never forget playing Rafa in a Slam final, but for sure I’ll also never forget going down on my knee to Maria. It was a beautiful moment, I think it was a bigger moment.
“There’s a few other young guys (in the locker room) that have been in relationships for a long time, so I’m kind of teasing them. I hope for their girlfriends that they step up at some point!”