Aryna Sabalenka stayed on course for a historic third consecutive Australian Open title on Sunday, ruthlessly edging out teenage Mira Andreeva to reach the quarter-finals. Sabalenka was in great form at Rod Laver Arena, winning 6-1, 6-2 over the Russian 17-year-old in just 62 minutes, marking the Belarusian’s 18th straight win at Melbourne Park. “I’m very happy to have won this difficult match in straight sets,” Sabalenka said. Her next match will be against 18th seed Donna Vekic (Croatia) or 27th seed Anastasia Pavliuchenkova (Russia).
“She’s very young, but she always plays great tennis. It’s always tough to play against her.”
Sabalenka wasn’t at her dignified best in the first week, despite riding a three-fight winning streak.
After dropping her serve three times and five times in the second round, she defeated Clara Thorson 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 to advance to the last 16.
Against Andreeva, she had no such problems in much warmer conditions, getting through her first two service games without giving up a run and taking a 4-1 lead.
“The conditions were very difficult the day before and the ball was very heavy,” Sabalenka said.
“The ball was flying like a rocket. I hope it continues like this until the end of the tournament.”
Andreva struggled to withstand Sabalenka’s power and was pushed further back as the champion hit a deft dropshot winner to take a 5-1 lead.
He made a great backhand pass and clinched the set in just 24 minutes.
Sabalenka held strong at the start of the second set, breaking early and gaining a 3-1 cushion.
Andreeva showed a fleeting glimpse of her talent in her next match when she saved two break points.
She then created three of her own, but all were saved and unable to stop Sabalenka’s giant heading to the finish line.
Sabalenka could score a hat-trick of back-to-back Australian Open titles.
It’s a rare feat, last accomplished by Martina Hingis 26 years ago, and matched by only four other women in history, all legends of the sport.
Other treble winners included Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagon, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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