Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus subdued a stubborn Anastasia Potapova of Austria 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7) in the third round of the Australian Open on Friday.
Sabalenka has now reached the round of 16 for six consecutive years has taken 23 of her last 24 matches in Melbourne.
After exchanging early breaks in the first set, Potapova staved off three set points against her at 5-6, knotted the set and took momentum into the tiebreaker. But she lost five of six service points in the tiebreaker, including the final two, and Sabalenka appeared to have crossed a major hurdle.
It looked as if the two-time champion would cruise to victory after she won the first four games of the second set. But the Russian-born Potapova, who began playing under the Austrian flag last year, responded in kind, knotting the set at 4-4.
This time, Potapova surged ahead in the tiebreaker, taking a 6-3 lead. But she could not convert four set point chances and Sabalenka captured the final three points of the breaker to advance to the round of 16.
“She played incredible tennis. I was always on the back foot,” Sabalenka said of her opponent. “To be honest, there’s days when you have to be there and you have to fight and try your best to put the ball back on that side. I don’t know what was the key.
“I think even though emotionally I was all over the place I was still able to fight for every point. Against Anastasia, it’s something really important that you always focus, you’re always there, you’re always fighting. I’m super happy that I was able to get this win. It was such a fight. I really enjoyed it.”
She likely didn’t enjoy the 44 unforced errors, but Potapova didn’t do enough on her own serve, winning only 49 of 91 service points (53.8%).
Sabalenka will take on 19-year-old Canadian phenom and No. 17 seed Victoria Mboko in the next round. Mboko edged No. 14 Clara Tauson of Denmark, 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-3 to reach the fourth round for the first time at a major championship.
Mboko led the second set 5-3, but was broken at love in the ninth game of the set. She held three match points on Tauson’s serve, but the Dane prevailed and staved off two additional break points to win the set 7-5.
Tauson won the first game of the deciding set at love, but Mboko regrouped, reeled off four straight games and captured the match in 2 hours, 19 minutes.
“I think it was just self-belief at the end,” said Mboko. “I had so many chances in the second set. But I’ve gotta give credit where it’s due. She was playing incredible tennis. I just had to lock in on the important moments. This is my first time here so I’m really happy to have gotten to the fourth round.”
Tauson had more winners (33-28) and fewer unforced errors (35-40) than the surprising 2025 Canadian Open champion.
Sabalenka and Mboko will meet for the first time on Saturday in Australia.
–Field Level Media
