Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka extended her Australian Open winning streak to 15 matches on a rain-soaked opening day at Melbourne Park. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

World No. 1 and defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated Sloane Stephens in her first round match.

Aryna Sabalenka faced a former champion and some of her own demons in what proved to be a first-round match that was trickier than she and most observers expected.