Sabalenka advances – chasing her third consecutive title

She won in 2023 and 2024. Now Aryna Sabalenka is going for her third consecutive title in the Grand Slam tournament Australian Open. The Belarusian started with a win against American Sloane Stephens.

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Sabalenka advances – chasing her third consecutive title
Photo: Vincent Thian/AP/TT

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The 26-year-old needed 71 minutes to win in straight sets, 6–3, 6–2.

But it was not a smooth journey to advance in the tournament in Melbourne.

Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka started shakily but eventually got her game in order and controlled the match on Rod Laver Arena.

It's always tough matches against her, she says.

I didn't play my best tennis today and I'm glad I managed to win in two sets.

Sabalenka can become the first woman since Swiss Martina Hingis to win three consecutive titles (1997-1999).

Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, China, sixth-seeded Norwegian Casper Ruud, and second-seeded Alexander Zverev, Germany, are also through.

Zheng, who lost the final last year, won against 110th-seeded Romanian Anca Todoni.

Ruud advanced after a shaky five-setter against Spanish Jaume Munar, ranked 106th.

It was a really tough match, he says.

Zverev got 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 against Frenchman Lucas Pouille.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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