Aryna Sabalenka hits a return during the women's singles 3rd round match between Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and Clara Tauson of Denmark at Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
MELBOURNE, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Aryna Sabalenka won a tough contest to advance to the fourth round at the Australian Open on Friday.
The world No. 1, who is chasing a third straight Australian Open title, defeated Denmark's Clara Tauson 7-6, 6-4 in two hours and six minutes at Rod Laver Arena, which extends the Belarusian's winning streak in Australia to 17 matches.
Despite not dropping a set, Sabalenka has been challenged in all three of her matches at the 2025 Australian Open so far.
"That was a great battle, she played unbelievable tennis. I'm just super happy that I was able to stay in the game," Sabalenka said after Friday's match.
The first hold of serve for the match did not come until the eighth game, when Tausen took a 5-3 lead.
At 5-4 the Danish 22-year-old was serving for the set but dropped the game with consecutive backhand unforced errors.
Sabalenka had four set points leading 6-5 but was denied by Tausen, who forced a tiebreak. Tied at 5-5 in the tiebreak, Sabalenka came up with consecutive winners to claim the opener.
Serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set, Sabalenka saw off two break point chances before again closing the set with consecutive winners.
Sabalenka will play either 14th seed Mirra Andreeva or 23rd seed Magdalena Frech in the round of 16. ■
Clara Tauson serves during the women's singles 3rd round match between Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and Clara Tauson of Denmark at Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Aryna Sabalenka celebrates during the women's singles 3rd round match between Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and Clara Tauson of Denmark at Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Aryna Sabalenka serves during the women's singles 3rd round match between Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and Clara Tauson of Denmark at Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Aryna Sabalenka hits a return during the women's singles 3rd round match between Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and Clara Tauson of Denmark at Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
Aryna Sabalenka hits a return during the women's singles 3rd round match between Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and Clara Tauson of Denmark at Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)
