Aryna Sabalenka overcame a sluggish start to open her season with a straight-sets victory Tuesday and kickstart her bid to win the Australian Open for a third consecutive time.

This season mark a huge milestone for Sabalenka as she starts as the WTA world number one for the first time in her career. She climbed atop the WTA Rankings after claiming the US Open honor in September.

Despite a sluggish start, world number one Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her season with a straight-sets win over Renata Zarazua at the Brisbane International.

No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has started her Brisbane International singles campaign with a 6-4, 6-0 win Tuesday over Renata Zarazua of Mexico.

World No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka has started her Brisbane International singles campaign with a 6-4, 6-0 win Tuesday over Renata Zarazua of Mexico. The match was a prelude on Pat Rafter Arena for later men's matches involving Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic.

Belarussian Sabalenka got the better of Mexican Zarazua in a tricky opening game at Brisbane as she prevalied 6-4, 6-0 in 65 minutes after a hard-fought first set.