By Ian Ransom MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Aryna Sabalenka launched her bid for a third successive Australian Open title with a storm of power hitting and a 6-3 6-2 demolition of former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens on Sunday.

Aryna Sabalenka has started her bid to become the first woman in a quarter-century to win three consecutive Australian Open titles with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over 2017 U.S.

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.

Aryna Sabalenka began her Australian Open title defence with a display of power hitting to crush Sloane Stephens 6-3 6-2 on Sunday.

Aryna Sabalenka enjoyed a victorious start to her Australian Open campaign. The World No.1 is looking to pull off a rare three-peat at Melbourne Park.

Sabalenka will soon embark on her quest for three consecutive titles at the Australian Open. To highlight that exciting story, Nike dropped an advertisement that is already an instant classic. Check out the 40-second Instagram video below.

The first round of the Australian Open begins in Melbourne on Sunday, with the world's top players competing for glory in the year's first Grand Slam. Aryna Sabalenka, who is going for a third straight title at Melbourne Park,