Australian Open Draw Pits Sabalenka Against Stephens in Tough First Round

MELBOURNE, Australia — Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka faces a challenging start to her 2025 Australian Open campaign after being drawn against former Grand Slam winner Sloane Stephens in the first round. The draw, announced Thursday at Melbourne Park, sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown between the world No. 1 and the 2017 U.S. Open champion.

Stephens, now ranked 84th in the world, has struggled to maintain her peak form since her Grand Slam triumph but remains a formidable opponent. “She’s always dangerous, especially in a one-off match,” said a tournament analyst. Sabalenka, 26, will need to be at her best to navigate the early rounds in what is shaping up to be a loaded top half of the draw.

Beyond the opening match, Sabalenka’s path to the final is fraught with potential pitfalls. She could face rising Russian star Mirra Andreeva in the fourth round, followed by Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng in the quarterfinals. A potential semifinal clash against American sensation Coco Gauff looms as a marquee matchup.

In the bottom half of the draw, world No. 2 Iga Swiatek appears to have a more favorable route. The Polish star, who begins her campaign against Katerina Siniakova, could face Anna Kalinskaya in the fourth round and Emma Navarro in the quarterfinals. A semifinal showdown against Elena Rybakina or Jasmine Paolini is also a possibility.

Meanwhile, Caroline Garcia‘s return to competition after a two-month break will be tested immediately as she faces four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the first round. The two last met at Melbourne Park in 2024, with Garcia emerging victorious. If she advances, Garcia could face Karolina Muchova and Jelena Ostapenko before a potential fourth-round clash with Gauff.

Other notable French players in the draw include Diane Parry, who returns to action against Wimbledon semifinalist Donna Vekic, and wildcard entrant Chloé Paquet, who faces Spain’s Cristina Bucsa. Léolia Jeanjean, the sole French qualifier, awaits her opponent.

The Australian Open begins Monday, January 13, at Melbourne Park, with the women’s final scheduled for January 25.