Australian Open LIVE: Updates from first round matches in Melbourne as Zverev, Ruud and Sabalenka in action

Two-time Australian Open champion and World No 1 Aryna Sabalenkahighlights the opening day of play at Melbourne Park, as the tournament gets underway on a Sunday for the second time.

Sabalenka faces former US Open winner Sloane Stephens in the first night session of the tournament, in a battle of grand slam champions. The Belarusian is the hot favourite to defend her title and is aiming to become the first player to win three women’s titles in a row since Martina Hingis in 1999.

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.

On the men’s side, World No 2 Alexander Zverev and World No 2 Casper Ruud are in action – with both players among those out to finally win a grand slam after several near-misses.

There is just one British player in action on the opening Sunday: Sonay Kartal, who won her first WTA title last season to crack the world’s top 100 for the first time, is in action against Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

There’s plenty more going on too, with women’s fifth seed Qinwen Zheng also in action alongside Paula Badosa and Mirra Andreeva beforehand.