Sabalenka survives scare to advance in Australian Open
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka has fought her way into the fourth round of the Australian Open 2026, narrowly escaping a fierce challenge from Anastasia Potapova.
The world No. 1 needed over two hours to secure a tight 7-6(4), 7-6(7) victory at Rod Laver Arena, marking her toughest test of the tournament so far.
Despite Sabalenka’s impressive track record—she hasn’t lost a third-round Grand Slam match since 2022—Potapova pushed the four-time major champion to her limits.
“She played incredible tennis, I was always on the back foot,” Sabalenka admitted after the match. “There are days when you just have to fight and try your best to put the ball back on that side.”
A battle of resilience
Potapova, aiming to become the first Austrian woman to reach the fourth round at Melbourne Park since 2000, started strong.
Although she fell into an early 0-2 hole, the 24-year-old showcased the power and defensive skills that took her to a career-high ranking of No. 21 in 2023.
She broke back to level the first set and saved three set points to force a tiebreak, which Sabalenka eventually clinched with a stunning backhand winner.
The second set began with Sabalenka seemingly in cruise control, racing to a 4-0 lead. However, Potapova refused to go quietly.
Buoyed by crowd support, she clawed her way back, breaking Sabalenka twice to level the score at 4-4. The set ultimately went to another tiebreak, where Potapova held multiple set points but failed to convert, largely due to a crucial double fault.
Looking ahead to the fourth round
Sabalenka’s victory extends her 2026 winning streak to eight matches, following her title win at the Brisbane International. Reflecting on her performance, she credited her emotional maturity for getting her through the high-pressure moments.
“Aryna of five years ago would probably be focusing too much on the way she feels and completely lose these games,” she noted.
Up next, Sabalenka will face her first seeded opponent of the tournament: Canada’s Victoria Mboko. The 17th seed advanced after a grueling three-set win over Clara Tauson.
This will be the first meeting between Sabalenka and the Canadian rising star.
Saurabh is a passionate tennis content writer and lifelong fan of the game. Whether it’s Grand Slam showdowns or under-the-radar rising stars, Saurabh brings the court to life with sharp analysis, breaking news, and deep-dive features. When they aren’t covering matches, you can find them practicing their topspin forehand or debating who is the GOAT over coffee. Do you enjoy tennis? Then you are in the right place.
