Aryna Sabalenka Sights 'mental Toughness' In Struggling Win At Australian Open

A battling Aryna Sabalenka credited new a 'mental toughness' Sunday for helping her survive an Australian Open first-set wobble that a few years ago might have cost her the match.

The two-time defending champion beat Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-2 in the first round to begin her bid for a historic hat-trick at Melbourne Park.

But the Belarusian did not have it all her own way against the 2017 US Open champion on Rod Laver Arena.

She raced into a 4-0 lead before a series of unforced errors allowed the 31-year-old American to break back twice for 4-3.

'I stepped back, and I gave her a chance to come back in the match,' said Sabalenka.