Australian Open: Next opening race for US Open winner Stephens

Unsuccessful in Melbourne: Sloane Stephens went bust at the Australian Open and has been without victory since her New York triumph in September 2017.

The American lost 6-2,6-7 (2-7), 2-6 to Chinese Zhang Shuai on the first day of the tournament. It was the eighth defeat of Stephens in the eighth match since her coup in Flushing Meadows. The 24-year-old was down under in 13th position, and in 2013 she had reached the semi-finals in Melbourne.