Two-time Defending Champion Sabalenka Advances to Fourth Round at Australian Open
Impressive Streaks Extended
Two-time defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka extended a few impressive streaks on Friday while becoming one of the first players to advance to the fourth round of the year’s opening Grand Slam tournament. Sabalenka beat Clara Tauson 7-6 (5), 6-4 in a poor early serving display by both players to open the sixth day of play on Rod Laver Arena.
Tougher-than-Expected Match
The match was not often pretty, but Sabalenka managed to extend her impressive streaks. She won her eighth match victory in a row to start the season after winning the Brisbane International 10 days ago, and her 17th win in a row at Melbourne Park. Additionally, it’s been nearly three years — the 2022 French Open — that the top-ranked Sabalenka has failed to advance past the third round of any Grand Slam tournament in which she played.
Poor Serving Display
Both players lost their first three service games, and it became seven service breaks in a row when Sabalenka lost her fourth service game at love. After Tauson fired an unreturnable backhand cross-court to set up break point, Sabalenka managed a wry smile. Tauson finally held a service game to lead 5-3 and Sabalenka also won her service game to stay in the first set. However, no surprise — the Danish player lost her service while serving for the first set to leave it at 5-5, eventually going to a tiebreaker which Sabalenka won despite leading 4-1, taking the opening set in 63 minutes.
Sabalenka’s Thoughts
“The conditions are really tough to serve, heavy conditions,” Sabalenka said. “It was really important to get all of those breaks back. It could have gone either way.”
Other Men’s Matches
In mostly routine men’s play, second-seeded Alexander Zverev beat Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 and No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz defeated Nuno Borges 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2. Earlier American Tommy Paul beat Roberto Carballes Baena 7-6 (0), 6-2, 6-0 to also advance to the fourth round.
Other Women’s Matches
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova beat Laura Siegemund 6-1, 6-2 to also advance to the fourth round. Siegemund beat Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen in the second round. Other winners on Friday included 11th-seeded Paula Badosa, who beat Marta Kostyuk 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, and 18th-seeded Donna Vekic, who defeated 12th-seeded Diana Shnaider 7-6 (4), 6- (3), 7-5. Additionally, 14th-seeded Mirra Andreeva beat Magdalena Frech 6-2, 1-6, 6-2.
Conclusion
Sabalenka’s victory extends her impressive streaks and sets her up for a potential showdown with other top players in the tournament. With her strong serving and aggressive play, she is a force to be reckoned with in the women’s draw.
FAQs
Q: How many matches has Sabalenka won in a row to start the season?
A: Eight
Q: How many wins has Sabalenka had in a row at Melbourne Park?
A: 17
Q: When did Sabalenka last fail to advance past the third round of a Grand Slam tournament?
A: The 2022 French Open
