Aryna Sabalenka showed on Thursday why she should be taken seriously as an Australian Open contender by passing a tough opponent in straight sets in the third round. The Belarusian passed American Shelby Rogers in 51st place 6-3, 6-1 in an hour and 27 minutes at the Rod Laver Arena. The pair had clashed twice before, both last year, with Sabalenka each holding a lead – the most recent a three-set, 2-hour-35-minute epic on Cincinnati hard courts. “She’s such a great player, always tough games against her,” said fifth seed Sabalenka.
“I expected a high level from her. That’s why I told myself to stay focused from the beginning to the end and that’s probably why I was able to win this set in straight sets.”
There was little between the two again in a 54-minute opening set on Thursday, with only a crucial eighth game separating them.
It went to five deuces on Shelby’s serve, followed by a raspy crosscourt forehand and a shout of “Come on!” by Sabalenka provided a third break point.
She converted for a 5-3 lead and served out the set to love.
Sabalenka kept up the pressure on Shelby’s serve early in the second set and broke for a 2-1 lead.
The Belarusian was now confident and pounded Shelby with winners from both wings as she broke two more before reeling in a backhand crosscourt pass on her first match point.
Sabalenka, who reached the semifinals at the US Open last year, extended her undefeated record from 2023 to six matches after winning the recent Adelaide International without dropping a set.
She is aiming to get past the last 16 of the Australian Open for the first time and will then play another American Lauren Davis or 26th seed from Belgium Elise Mertens.
“I’ve played a lot of games against Mertens and I’ve always fought against Davis,” said Sabalenka. “It’s going to be tough, but I’m looking forward to it.”
(This story has not been edited by DailyExpertNews staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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