Australian Open 2024: Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens ends 5-year victory drought

The 30-year-old American, who won the U.S. Open in 2017, won five straight games from 2-0 down in the opening set and eased through the second to clinch victory in just under an hour.

Sloane Stephens of the United States plays a forehand in their round one singles match against Olivia Gadecki of Australia. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Sloane Stephens picked up her first win at the Australian Open since 2019 when she beat wild-card entry Olivia Gadecki 6-3, 6-1 on Tuesday to reach the second round.

The 30-year-old American, who won the U.S. Open in 2017, won five straight games from 2-0 down in the opening set and eased through the second to clinch victory in just under an hour.

“Really pleased with the way I played,” said Stephens, who reached the semifinals of the event in 2013 but who has lost in the first round in seven of her past eight visits to Melbourne.

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“I’ve been working a lot on making the opponents play. I think that’s something I had got away from. Pleased with the win.”

Men’s second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz begin their title bids later Tuesday.

Alcaraz, last year’s Wimbledon winner, plays Richard Gasquet in the last match of the night session on Rod Laver Arena.