Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka celebrates her win after getting into the quarterfinals of the Australian Open tennis championship 2026 in Melbourne on January 25, 2026
| Photograph Credit score: Reuters
Aryna Sabalenka performed tiebreak tyrant once more as she fended off Canadian younger gun Victoria Mboko 6-1 7-6(1) to succeed in the Australian Open quarterfinals for a fourth time in succession.
Twice champion Sabalenka crushed Mboko in a 31-minute first set within the early match at Rod Laver Area however gave up a 4-1 lead within the second because the seventeenth seed mounted a formidable comeback.
“What an unimaginable participant for such a younger age,” the Belarusian stated of Mboko, 19.
“It is unimaginable to see these youngsters developing on tour.
“She pushed me actually arduous at the moment. Tremendous proud of the win … and pleased to be by way of.”
Having been unable to put a glove on Sabalenka throughout a seven-game shedding streak, Mboko turned the match with a livid assault on the world primary’s serve.
Damaged twice, Sabalenka needed to scrap to take the second set right into a tiebreak — however from there she was indomitable.
She charged to a 6-0 lead and sealed the match when a scrambling Mboko despatched a forehand crusing over the baseline.
Following her 7-6(4) 7-6(7) win over Anatasia Potapova within the earlier match, Sabalenka has now racked up 22 tiebreak wins in succession, together with 19 in a row final yr.
Taking part in on centre courtroom for the primary time at a Grand Slam, Mboko bowed out of her Australian Open fundamental draw debut with popularity enhanced.
There was no indicators Mboko was intimidated early as she attacked Sabalenka’s serve with gusto, forcing her to avoid wasting two break factors within the opening sport.
However that was pretty much as good because it acquired for the Canadian within the first set as Sabalenka broke her thrice, smacked 15 winners and closed it out with a volley.
Sabalenka rolled on to a 2-0 lead within the second set in a seven-game successful streak earlier than Mboko held serve.
The Canadian had the group within the palm of her hand as she rallied, later saving three match factors returning serve at 5-4.
Sabalenka steadied, although, to fly by way of the tiebreak and arrange a quarter-final in opposition to the winner of Iva Jovic and Yulia Putintseva.
Printed – January 25, 2026 08:22 am IST
