Sabalenka Cruises Into Australian Open Fourth Round

January 19, 2024 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo Credit: Manuela Davies/USTA

Aryna Sabalenka moved one step closer to defending her Australian Open title on Friday as the second-seed from Belarus rolled past 28th seeded Lesia Tsurenko 6-0, 6-0 to secure her spot in the fourth round.

“I’m super happy with the level I played. [I’m] just happy to get through this round,” said Sabalenka. “Right now, I’m just trying to keep it simple and not try to make it perfect, because as soon as you start trying to make it perfect, everything goes wrong. I’m trying to be happy with what I have right now.”

Sabalenka blasted 16 winners and needed just 52 minutes to advance. Up next for Sabalenka is American Amanda Anisimova, who continued her stellar play in Australia as she makes her return to the tour with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Spain’s Paula Badosa.

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva continued her run Down Under as she fought off a match point to complete her 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(5) comeback victory over France’s Diane Parry. She plays ninth-seed Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic who defeated Australia’s Storm Hunter 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

“I would prefer to win in straight sets. I think everybody would,” Andreeva said. “But it’s also good to win when you’re fighting for every point. I think I will have a lot of matches like this in my career. I’m just happy with the win. I don’t care how I win exactly with the score and the time, I just want to win. If it takes three sets, then I’m happy to win with three sets.”

Coco Gauff needed just over one hour to defeat fellow American Alycia Parks 6-0, 6-2. Gauff played a clean game, committing just eight unforced errors and never faced a break point.

The fourth-seed takes on Magdalena Frech who won her match in three sets on Friday.


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Centercourt
USTA NTC

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