Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka delivered a commanding performance to dispatch 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva 6-1, 6-2 and secure her place in the Australian Open quarterfinals. Sabalenka showcased her signature power and composure, extending her winning streak at Melbourne Park to an impressive 18 matches.
Sabalenka’s relentless form
Sabalenka, the WTA World No. 1, has been nearly untouchable at the Australian Open over the past two years. With only one set dropped in her last 18 matches at the tournament, defeating the Belarusian on Melbourne’s hard courts remains one of the toughest challenges in tennis.
Andreeva, a rising star coached by Conchita Martinez, entered the match with hopes of an upset. Despite flashes of brilliance, including a spectacular backhand winner and an emotional hold from 0-40 down, the teenager was unable to withstand Sabalenka’s unrelenting pressure.
Set-by-set breakdown
- First Set:
Sabalenka dominated from the baseline, reeling off five consecutive games after an initial hold from Andreeva. The Belarusian’s aggressive returns exposed Andreeva’s second serve, and her relentless hitting overwhelmed the young Russian. The first set was wrapped up in just 24 minutes. - Second Set:
Andreeva started the second set with improved serving, hitting four unreturned serves in her opening game. However, Sabalenka broke early to go 2-1 up and never looked back. Andreeva had a glimmer of hope at 3-2, creating three break points in a pivotal service game from Sabalenka. But the defending champion’s resilience shone through, saving all three and shutting the door on a potential comeback.
Sabalenka capitalized on Andreeva’s frustration, breaking again to seal the match in just over an hour.
Sabalenka’s dominance in numbers
- Winners: 22
- Unforced errors: 11
- Break points saved: 3/3
- Service games held: 8/8
What’s next for Sabalenka?
Sabalenka advances to the quarterfinals, where she will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, an experienced competitor who brings a different set of challenges.
Reflecting on her victory, Sabalenka said:
“I’m happy with how I stayed aggressive and kept my focus. Mirra is a talented player with a bright future, but today I stuck to my game and it worked well.”
Andreeva’s takeaway
While the loss was lopsided, Andreeva has shown maturity and potential during her Australian Open run. Her ability to stay composed against a player of Sabalenka’s caliber bodes well for her future on the WTA Tour.