Top seed Aryna Sabalenka continued her quest for a third consecutive Australian Open title, overcoming Denmark’s Clara Tauson in a hard-fought straight-sets victory on Rod Laver Arena.
The 26-year-old Belarusian edged past Tauson 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 in a match filled with momentum swings, lasting two hours and six minutes. Sabalenka’s determination and grit shone through as she secured her place in the fourth round.
Match Highlights
| Stat | Details |
|---|---|
| Winner | Aryna Sabalenka (1) |
| Score | 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 |
| Match Duration | 2 hours 6 minutes |
| Breaks of Serve | 11 (8 in the first set) |
| Longest Game | Ninth game of the second set (7 deuces) |
| First Serve Challenges | Both players struggled with consistency |
| Set Points Saved by Tauson | 4 in the first set |
| Sabalenka’s Consecutive Wins | 17 in Melbourne, 30 of her last 31 on hard courts |
Sabalenka praised her opponent, saying:
“That was a great battle. She played unbelievable tennis. It was really tough to play against her today. I’m just super happy that I was able to stay in the game and push myself to the limit to get this win.”
Set-by-Set Breakdown
- First Set: A turbulent opener featured eight service breaks as both players struggled for rhythm. Tauson held serve in the eighth game, breaking the cycle momentarily. Sabalenka, however, clawed her way back, saving set points and ultimately sealing the tie-break with a forehand winner.
- Second Set: The pattern of trading breaks continued, but Sabalenka’s resilience prevailed. In the ninth game—lasting seven deuces—she broke Tauson’s serve and followed it up with a strong service game to clinch victory.
Sabalenka’s Streak and Next Opponent
With this victory, Sabalenka has extended her Melbourne Park win streak to 17 matches and has yet to drop a set in this year’s tournament. She also recorded her 30th win in her past 31 matches at hard-court Grand Slams since 2023.
She now awaits the winner of the match between Poland’s Magdalena Frech and 14th seed Mirra Andreeva.
Australian Open 2025
- Dates: 12-26 January
- Venue: Melbourne Park
- Coverage: Live commentary on BBC 5 Sports Extra and updates on the BBC Sport website and app.
Sabalenka’s journey at the Australian Open continues as she aims for another historic title in her already remarkable career.
