The world No 1 earned a 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 victory against 33-year-old Russian Pavlyuchenkova, the 27th seed, in windy conditions on Rod Laver Arena.

The world number one and back-to-back champion in Melbourne defeated Stephens 6-3 6-2 in the first round on Rod Laver Arena. ... and the first since Martina Hingis in 1999.

Rod Laver Arena has really been special in my life, ... Seven years later, in 2016, she paired up with Swiss star Martina Hingis and claimed the women’s doubles title as the top seed.