Top seed Aryna Sabalenka edged past Denmark’s Clara Tauson in a challenging straight-sets victory, winning 7-6(5), 6-4 to secure her spot in the fourth round of the Australian Open.
The 26-year-old Belarusian needed over two hours on Rod Laver Arena to overcome Tauson’s resistance in a match marked by 11 service breaks and shifting momentum.
“It was a great battle,” Sabalenka said. “I had to push myself to the limit to get this win.”
Sabalenka sealed the first set after a tight tie-break and broke late in the second set during a marathon ninth game, serving out the match to extend her winning streak in Melbourne to 17 matches.
The defending champion remains unbeaten in sets this tournament and will next face either Magdalena Frech or Mirra Andreeva.
