MELBOURNE, Australia – Top seed Aryna Sabalenka, seeking to win her third Australian Open title in four years, reached the quarterfinals on Sunday with a 6-1, 7-6 (1) victory over No. 17 Victoria Mboko of Canada.
Sabalenka, who used a powerful serve that yielded three aces in the first set, rolled over the 19-year-old Canadian in just 31 minutes.
Sabalenka was not as dominant in the second set – with a few more unforced errors – against Mboko, who played well enough to beat many players, but not the two-time Australian Open champion.
“What an incredible player for such a young age,” said 27-year-old Sabalenka in her on-field interview with Mboko. “It’s incredible to see these kids on Tour. I can’t believe I’m saying that. I feel like I’m a kid.
“She pushed me so much, and I’m glad I got through it.”
Sabalenka led the second set 4-1, but then failed to convert three match points while leading 5-4. Mboko slowly regained the momentum and forced a tiebreak, while Sabalenka dominated.
It was the twentieth tiebreak victory in a row for Sabalenka.
“I try not to think this is a tiebreaker and play point by point, and I think that’s the key to consistency,” she said.
Sabalenka won this Grand Slam in 2023 and 2024 and last year she came second against Madison Keys. The Belarusian has also won two US Open titles.
In a later match on Sunday at Rod Laver Arena, top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz of Spain faced American No. 19 Tommy Paul for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Men’s third seed Alexander Zverev and women’s third seed Coco Gauff also played later for places in the quarterfinals.
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