Sabalenka reaches into last-16 of Australian Open
Sabalenka needed just 74 minutes to beat her former doubles partner
Melbourne, The Gulf Observer: Fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka reached into the last 16 of the Australian Open in straight sets to tee up a showdown with Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.
The Belarusian swept past 32nd-ranked Belgian Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-3 in Margaret Court Arena on Saturday to burgeon her growing status as a favourite for the first Grand Slam of the year.
Sabalenka needed just 74 minutes to beat her former doubles partner – the pair won five titles together including the Australian Open in 2021 – but said it hadn’t been as easy as it looked.
“It’s really tough to play against her, especially. She’s a great player, unbelievable fighter,” said the powerful Sabalenka, who is yet to win a major.
“I knew it’s going to be tough. I’m super happy that I was able to stay focused from beginning to the end to win this match because she’s an amazing player.”
Bencic, of Switzerland, was just as assured in her 6-2, 7-5 victory over Italy’s Camila Giorgi on Rod Laver Arena.
