MELBOURNE, 22 January, 2022 (AFP) – World number two Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus defeated Czech Marketa Vondrosova on Saturday to secure her place in the round of 16 of the Australian Open in Melbourne (4-6, 6-3 and 4-6, 6-3). 6-1).
Arya Sabalenka improved on his staggering serve displayed in the early stages of the season, where he scored 70 double faults in four games. Against the 31st seeded Czechs in the tournament, he made just ten appearances.
“I’m really happy right now, especially happy that I only made ten double faults,” said Sabalenka, a 2021 semifinalist at Wimbledon and the US Open.
Vondrosova took a 5-3 lead and won the first set, leaving the 23-year-old under tremendous pressure. But she quickly pulled herself together and went on to win the next two sets with early service breaks.
In the round of 16, Sabalenka will face Estonian legend Kaya Kanepi, who is ranked 115th in the world.
Romanian Simona Halep (seeded n.14) also defeated Montenegrin Danka Kovinic (98th in the world) easily 6-2 and 6-1 in just one hour to qualify for the 16th round and will face her in the 16th round. French Alizee Cornet (61st in the world).
“Despite the heat, I feel really good,” Halep said.
“I played very well, although I must admit that Kovinic was a little tired,” said the Romanian.
After getting injured in 2021, Halep (former world No. 1 and champion at Roland Garros in 2018 and champion at Wimbledon in 2019) is set to start the year well.
Polish Inga Swietek, 9th in the world and winner of Roland Garros-2020, is also looking fit. She reached the round of 16 after defeating Russian Daria Kasatkina (n.23) 6-2, 6-3.
– Results of Day 6 of this Saturday’s Australian Open match in Melbourne:
– Women’s Singles – Third Stage:
Danielle Collins (USA / n.27) x Clara Towson (DIN) 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
Alice Mertens (BEL/N.19) x Shuai Zhang (CHN) 6-2, 6-2
Simona Halep (ROM/N.14) x Danka Kovinic (MNE) 6-2, 6-1
Elise Cornet (FRA) x Tamara Zidansek (SLO/N.29) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
Inga Swietec (POL/N.7) x Daria Kasatkina (RUS/N.25) 6-2, 6-3
Sorana Kristia (Rome) x Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS/N.10) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2
Kaia Kanepi (EST) x Madison England (AUS) 2-6, 6-2, 6-0
Arya Sabalenka (BLR/N.2) x Marketa Vondrosova (CZE/N.31) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1
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