TENNIS: Top seed Sabalenka sees off Bai to progress to third round

MELBOURNE — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka overcame a rough patch in the opening set to defeat China’s Bai Zhuoxuan 6-3, 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena and advance to the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.

Sabalenka, who won the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024, raced to a 5-0 lead but then struggled as Bai began to fight back. The Chinese world No. 702 held serve and even managed to break Sabalenka, adding pressure to the world No. 1.

Bai continued to gain momentum, winning three games in a row and frustrating Sabalenka as the Belarusian grew visibly agitated. Despite the challenge, Sabalenka eventually managed to close out the first set.

In the second set, the 27-year-old regained her composure and showed the difference in experience and skill between the two players. Sabalenka won four consecutive games and eventually sealed her spot in the next round.

“Tricky opponent, she really stepped in on the first set and for a moment I felt: what shall I do? She’s crashing it,” Sabalenka said after the match.

“Super happy I was able to close that set. I think it gave me a little more confidence that I’m there, that my game is there. Focus step by step.

“There’s always a little gap to improve, but I’m happy that in that game I didn’t lose it and I was focused. I was trying to tell myself, one at a time, it’s going to come back,” she added.

“You’re okay, just keep fighting, keep trying, and I’m glad I did it well.” -Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters