The world number 1 surpasses Tauson but doesn’t enchant. The Spaniard argues with her boyfriend in the stands (“You play!”) but manages to get the better of Kostyuk in three sets. The Croatian team is also advancing
Aryna Sabalenka wins and advances to the round of 16 of the Australian Open, but the reigning champion doesn’t seem to be in top form. Much less dominant than in 2024, the world number one. Nothing too worrying, but the victory against the Danish Clara Tauson did not impress. A 7-6(5) 6-4 in about two hours which makes Sabalenka smile just for having avoided worse trouble, because she was very close to risking at least a third set or even worse trouble. The world no.1 did not fully exploit the best qualities of her repertoire, namely speed in shots, especially the forehand, and the serve. It must be said that Tauson, n.42 in the world, is a very good player and is someone who handles the exchange very well, and if she had a better first one we would probably be talking about a potential top 10, but this does not justify the a somewhat similar performance from Sabalenka, who in the round of 16 will have the winner between the Polish French and Mirra Andreeva.
bickering
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Paula Badosa also comes forward. The Spaniard, number 11, beat Marta Kostyuk in a hard-fought match in three sets (6-4 4-6 6-3), complete with a fight with her boyfriend Stefanos Tsitsipas in the stands. “You play,” Badosa said, handing the racket to the Greek, who was telling her to stay calm and focused during a particularly hot phase of the match. A suggestion that Paula didn’t take very well.
the other races
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Among other results, a victory for Donna Vekic (number 18) who came back from 3-5 down in the decisive set against Diana Shnaider (number 12) to win a marathon of two hours and 58 minutes, which ended 7-6(4) 6 -7(5) 7-5. She will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the round of 16, who defeated Laura Siegemund 6-1 6-2.
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