Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka battled her way into the Australian Open fourth round after a hard-fought 7-6(5), 6-4 win over Denmark’s Clara Tauson, MySportDab Reports.
The world No. 1 struggled for serving consistency but showed resilience to secure her 17th consecutive win in Melbourne. After an early loss of serve, Sabalenka recovered to take a tight first set in the tiebreak before wrapping up the match in two hours and six minutes. Next, she faces Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva as she bids for a third successive Australian Open crown, a milestone last achieved by Martina Hingis in 1999.
Carlos Alcaraz inched closer to history in a 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2 win over Portugal’s Nuno Borges. The Spanish third seed, aiming to become the youngest man to achieve a career Grand Slam, struck 54 winners and slammed nine aces to overpower Borges. Cruising through the first two sets, Alcaraz was upset in the third-set tiebreak but regained his poise in quick fashion to wrap up the match. He will now face either Jack Draper or Aleksandar Vukic in the next round.
Novak Djokovic signed a statement performance as he took apart Czech 26th seed Tomas Machac 6-1, 6-4, 6-4. The 10-time Melbourne champion, despite needing medical treatment and using an inhaler, was at his best as he secured his 66th Grand Slam fourth-round appearance. Djokovic, in search of a record-extending 25th major title, will next face Jiri Lehecka.
While Gauff continued her unstoppable march with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 victory over Leylah Fernandez.
Coming into the contest as the third seed, fresh from her 2023 US Open victory, she was in full command of the game and extended her unbeaten start to 2025. She will now meet Belinda Bencic, who got a walkover after Naomi Osaka retired due to an abdominal strain when trailing 7-6(3). Osaka, the two-time Australian Open champion, said she had been struggling with the injury since the start of the season.
Elsewhere, second seed Alexander Zverev eased past Britain’s Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, while Belinda Bencic moved on after Osaka’s withdrawal. The tournament now enters its decisive phase, with blockbuster clashes on the horizon.
