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01/24 21:48 CST Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka powers her way into the
quarterfinals at the Australian Open
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka powers her way into the quarterfinals at the
Australian Open
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) --- Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, attempting to win her
third Australian Open title in four years, reached the quarterfinals on Sunday
with a victory over No. 17 Victoria Mboko of Canada 6-1, 7-6 (1).
Sabalenka, using a high-powered serve that produced three aces in the first
set, rolled over the 19-year-old Canadian in just 31 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka was not quite as dominant in the second set --- producing 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," the 27-year-old Sabalenka
said of the young Canadian. "It's incredible to see these kids coming up on
Tour. I can't believe I say that. I feel like I'm a kid."
"She pushed me so much, and I'm happy to be through," Sabalenka added in her
on-court interview.
Sabalenka led the second set 4-1, and then failed to convert three match points
while leading 5-4. Mboko slowly took back the momentum and forced a tiebreaker
only for Sabalenka to dominate.
It was the 20th straight tiebreak victory for Sabalenka.
"I try to --- not to think this is a tiebreak and play point by point, and I
guess that's the key to consistency," she said.
Sabalenka won this Grand Slam in 2023 and 2024 and was the runner-up last year
against Madison Keys. The Belarussian has also won two U.S. Open titles.
Sabalenka will be up against an even younger player in the quarterfinals ---
18-year-old American Iva Jovic.
The No. 29-seeded Jovic defeated Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 6-1 on John Cain Arena
in just 53 minutes as she advanced to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
In a later match Sunday on Rod Laver Arena, the top-seeded man Carlos Alcaraz
of Spain faced American No. 19 Tommy Paul for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Alexander Zverev and Coco Gauff, the third seeds on the men and women's side,
also played later for spots in the quarterfinals.
___
More AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
