Bleak day for Americans in Melbourne: Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens out

Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens were upset early and the bleak opening day for Americans continued at the Australian Open with the women losing their first eight matches and two of the highest-ranked US men joining them as first-round casualties.

In her first match at Rod Laver Arena since losing last year’s final to her sister, Serena, Venus Williams lost her opener to Belinda Bencic 6-3, 7-5 and ensured the title won’t stay in the family.

Serena Williams hasn’t played a Grand Slam tournament since last year’s final because of her pregnancy and the birth of her first child.

“I don’t think I played a bad match. She just played above and beyond,” said Venus Williams, who was playing her 18th Australian Open. “I just have to give her credit for that.

“I didn’t play so bad, I wasn’t missing every shot. Just didn’t work out.”

US Open champion Stephens was the first American to fall, losing 2-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2 to No. 34ranked Zhang Shuai. She was followed by Williams and No. 10seeded CoCo Vandeweghe, a semifinalist here and at the US Open last year, who was feeling sick and frustrated in 7-6 (4), 6-2 loss to Timea Babos.

CiCi Bellis, Sofia Kenin - who lost to No. 12 Julia Goerges, now on a 15-match winning streak Alison Riske, Taylor Townsend and Jennifer Brady all lost before Nicole Gibbs beat Viktoriya Tomova 6-1, 6-1 to end the streak of eight losses for the US women.

No. 8-seeded Jack Sock, the highest ranked of the American men, lost 6-1, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-3 to Yuichi Sugita and his compatriot John Isner, seeded 16th, lost in four sets to Australian Matt Ebden.