Sun Jan 25 12:40:00 UTC 2026: ### Sabalenka Advances to Australian Open Quarterfinals, Faces Another Teenage Challenger

The Story:
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka secured her spot in the Australian Open quarterfinals for the fourth consecutive year with a 6-1, 7-6(1) victory over No. 17 seed Victoria Mboko on Sunday in Melbourne. Despite a dominant start and a seemingly comfortable lead in the second set, Sabalenka faced a resilient comeback from Mboko, forcing a tiebreak. Sabalenka’s tiebreak prowess, remaining undefeated in Grand Slam tiebreak sets for the past 18 months, ultimately secured her win.

Following her victory over Mboko, Sabalenka is set to face another teenager, No. 29 seed Iva Jovic of the United States, in the quarterfinals. Jovic, who impressively defeated Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 6-1, is making her first-career Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance.

Key Points:

  • Aryna Sabalenka defeated Victoria Mboko 6-1, 7-6(1) to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals.
  • This marks Sabalenka’s fourth straight year reaching the quarterfinals in Melbourne.
  • Sabalenka initially dominated the match but faced a second-set surge from Mboko.
  • Sabalenka highlighted the difficulty of serving in the midday sun as a factor impacting her second-set performance.
  • Sabalenka’s Grand Slam tiebreak record remains perfect for the past 18 months (20-0).
  • Sabalenka will face Iva Jovic in the quarterfinals.
  • Iva Jovic defeated Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 6-1

Key Takeaways:

  • Aryna Sabalenka is demonstrating consistency at the Australian Open.
  • Younger players like Victoria Mboko and Iva Jovic are proving to be competitive challengers.
  • Environmental factors, such as the sun, can play a significant role in match dynamics.
  • Sabalenka‘s experience and tiebreak performance were crucial in overcoming the challenge.
  • The rise of young talent on the WTA tour continues to be a prominent theme.

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