New Delhi: Two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka zoomed past Victoria Mboko 6-1 7-6(1) to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals for the fourth time in a row.
The World No.1 has now entered the last eighth stage of Grand Slams for the 13th consecutive time as started dominantly and finished strongly aginst her 17th seed opponent.
The Belarusian tokk only 31 minutes to bag the first set against her Canadian opponent at Rod Laver Arena but then trailed 4-1 in the second.
Sabalenka was broken twice but then rallied to force the second set into a tiebreak, where she used all her experience to charge to a 6-0 lead and won when Mboko sent a forehand wide.
“What an incredible player for such a young age,” Sabalenka said of the 19-year-old Mboko.
“It’s incredible to see these kids coming up on tour. She pushed me really hard today. Super happy with the win … and happy to be through.”