Elena Rybakina's Australian Open 1R opponent makes Aryna Sabalenka preference known ahead of clash

Elena Rybakina's first opponent at the Australian Open will be 16-year-old Emerson Jones, whose favorite player is the former's fierce rival Aryna Sabalenka. Jones confirmed the same during a pre-tournament press conference held at Melbourne Park on Saturday, January 11.

Jones has received a wildcard entry into the women's singles draw. A World No. 1 in juniors, she made her tour debut at the 2025 Adelaide International, defeating China's Wang Xinyu 6-4, 6-0 in the first round. Her run ended with a 7-5, 6-3 loss to Daria Kasatkina in the second round.

Ahead of her Rybakina meeting, Jones expressed her liking for Sabalenka in response to a question from Sportskeeda in the press room.

"I look up to Sabalenka a lot, as well. I love her game and the way she plays, just her mentality on court. I think it's really great," she said.

Sabalenka and Rybakina share an intense rivalry on the court. The two have faced each other 10 times thus far, with the Belarusian leading the head-to-head 6-4. They notably played a memorable final at the Australian Open in 2023, where Sabalenka staged a comeback to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and open her Grand Slam account.

Sabalenka reigned supreme at the Melbourne Park again in 2024, defeating China's Zheng Qinwen 6-3, 6-2 in the summit clash, having defeated the likes of Coco Gauff, Barbora Krejcikova, Amanda Anisimova, Lesia Tsurenko, Brenda Fruhvirtova, and Ella Seidel en route.

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Aryna Sabalenka starts against Sloane Stephens at the Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka (Getty)

Aryna Sabalenka will start at the 2025 Australian Open campaign as a two-time defending champion against Sloane Stephens from the US in the first round on Sunday, January 12—the opening night of the tournament.

It will be the World No. 1's fifth meeting with Stephens, a former US Open champion, and she has remained unbeatable for the latter thus far.

The duo first played against each other in the 2017 Fed Cup Final and the Belarusian registered a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 victory. They didn't meet for the following three years, returning as opponents in the 2021 Canadian Open, where Aryna Sabalenka prevailed 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-4.

They then played in the 2022 San Diego Open Round of 32, where the Belarusian came back from behind to down Sloane Stephens 1-6, 6-3, 6-2. Their most recent meeting came at the 2023 French Open, where Sabalenka ended as victor again, winning the Round-of-16 matchup 7-6(5), 6-4. This was notably their first straight-set outing.