Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s top-ranked player, survived a tense battle with Anastasia Potapova to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open.
The two-time champion started strongly, taking the first set and racing to a 4-0 lead, but Potapova fought back, forcing Sabalenka to fend off four set points before sealing a 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (9-7) victory.
Reflecting on the match, Sabalenka admitted the contest tested her mental resilience. “Emotionally, I was all over the place,” she said. “It felt like my mind and body were completely disconnected, but I fought through it and somehow pulled through.”
The 27-year-old has previously struggled with emotional control on the big stages, having lost two Grand Slam finals last year against Madison Keys in Melbourne and Coco Gauff at the French Open. She has since worked with a sports psychologist to strengthen her mental game, and the results are evident.
Sabalenka has now reached the semi-finals or better in 13 of her last 16 Grand Slam appearances, winning four major titles over the past three seasons, establishing herself as a dominant force in women’s tennis.
“Five years ago, I would have let matches like this slip away,” she admitted. “Now it’s about staying focused, maintaining mental strength, and fighting for every point, even when nothing feels right.”
The match also highlighted her remarkable consistency in pressure situations. Sabalenka extended her Grand Slam tie-break winning streak to 19, the longest in the Open era for women, a record matched only by Novak Djokovic among active players.
Sabalenka now prepares for a fourth-round clash with 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko, eyeing a third Australian Open title in four years.
“My mentality today made the difference,” Sabalenka added. “I had to fight for every point, keep moving, and trust myself that’s what won me the match.”
