x1 gaming Sabalenka Vs Stephens, Australian Open Preview: World No. 1 Targets Hat-Trick

Sabalenka has her sights set on landing a third straight Australian Open title Sabalenka has her sights set on landing a third straight Australian Open title

Aryna Sabalenka has her sights set on putting her name "next to legends" as she targets a hat-trick of Australian Open titles. (More Sports News)

The world number one is aiming to become the first woman to win three straight singles titles in Melbourne this century, with Martina Hingis (1997 to 1999) the last player to achieve the feat.

Six teams, namely India, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Japan and China are participating in the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 and the hosts are the lowest-ranked (23) team in the tournament. India's next opponent, Japan are ranked 15 in the world.

Sukhjeet put India ahead at the stroke of the first quarter before Uttam Singh doubled the lead just three minutes before the end of the second quarter as India went 2-0 up at the half time.

Sabalenka, who is the top seed at a major for the first time, would also be the eighth woman in the Open Era to lift the trophy on three occasions.

Last year, Sabalenka won the Australian Open without dropping a single set. She has the best win percentage of any current player at the tournament (81.5%) and has only lost five matches in Melbourne.

In grand slams, she has proven a force to be reckoned with. Despite missing Wimbledon, she registered 18 wins at majors in 2024, more than any other player. 

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What's your bold prediction for #AO2025?

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 9, 2025

However, it will not be easy for the 26-year-old, who has been drawn to face former US Open champion Sloane Stephens in the first match of her latest title defence.

World number three Coco Gauff and Olympic gold medallist Qinwen Zheng are also in the same half of the draw. Nevertheless, Sabalenka is focused on the task in hand.

"To be back here, and to walk here with this beautiful trophy as the two-time defending champion is definitely something special," she said.

"I really hope that I can keep doing what I'm doing here in Australia. Putting your name into history and being next to those legends, it's something special.

"[Winning three in a row] would be hugex1 gaming, but I have to focus on myself... bring my best tennis every time I'm out there, and to hopefully put my name next to those legends."