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.

Earlier, Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng faces Anca Todoni, with the Chinese player aiming to avenge her defeat to Sabalenka in last year’s final. Zheng and Sabalenka happen to be on a collision course for the quarter-finals this year.

Aryna Sabalenka led the Australian Open crowd in a victory dance after beating Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the competition on Sunday. The world No 1 is targeting a third straight triumph Down Under,