On Sunday, Aryna Sabalenka defeated teenager Mirra Andreeva mercilessly to advance to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, keeping her on track for a remarkable third consecutive title.
On Sunday, Aryna Sabalenka defeated teenager Mirra Andreeva mercilessly to advance to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, keeping her on track for a remarkable third straight title. On Rod Laver Arena, Sabalenka was in unstoppable form, defeating the 17-year-old Russian 6-1, 6-2 in just 62 minutes. This was the Belarusian’s 18th straight triumph at Melbourne Park. “I’m really glad that I won this tough match in straight sets,” Sabalenka said. She will next play either 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia or 18th seed Donna Vekic of Croatia.
“She’s so young but always playing great tennis, it’s always tough battles against her.”
Despite winning three consecutive sets, Sabalenka was not at her imperious best during the first week.
She dropped serve three times in the second round and five times before defeating Clara Tauson 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, to advance to the round of 16.
She had no such issues against Andreeva in significantly warmer conditions, cruising through her opening two service games without dropping a point and breaking for a 4-1 lead.”Previous days were such tough conditions, the ball was so heavy,” replied Sabalenka.
“The ball flew like a rocket. I hope the conditions remain the same till the completion of the event.
Andreeva struggled to keep up with Sabalenka’s strength and was pushed further back as the champion scored a beautiful drop shot to lead 5-1.
In less than 24 minutes, a beautiful backhand pass sealed the set.
Sabalenka didn’t let up at the start of the second set, with an early break giving her a 3-1 lead.
Andreeva demonstrated a flash of her brilliance as she saved two break points in the next game.She subsequently generated three of her own, but all were saved, and the Sabalenka juggernaut continued to glide to the finish line unabated.
Sabalenka has the opportunity to win her third Australian Open in a row.
It is a remarkable feat, last accomplished by Martina Hingis 26 years ago, and only matched by four other women in history, all of whom are sporting superstars.
Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, and Monica Seles will complete the treble.
