By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Thursday, January 16, 2025
Two-time defending AO champion Aryna Sabalenka staved off Clara Tauson 7-6(5), 6-4 to reach the fourth round for the fifth time.
Photo credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka confronted a rarity on Rod Laver Arena today.
Repeated loss.
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The two-time defending Australian Open champion lost her serve four times in the first set yet still stretched her Melbourne winning streak to 17 matches.
On a sunny, windy day, Sabalenka staved off a tough Clara Tauson 7-6(5), 6-4 securing her AO fourth round spot for the fifth straight year.
“That was a great battle—she played unbelievable tennis,” Sabalenka said in her on-court interview. “It was really tough to play against her today.
“I’m just super happy that I was just able to stay in the game. I was able to push myself honestly to the limit and just try my best to put that ball back on that side and try to get this win.”
In a battle of undefeated power players, Sabalenka struggled to hold serve in the opening set and converted only six of 17 break points, but put the hammer down when she needed it.
The top-seeded Sabalenka improved to 8-0 in 2025 as she continues her quest to become the first woman to three-peat in Melbourne since the legendary Martina Hingis won three AO titles in a row from 1997-1999.
The talented Tauson fell to 7-1 on the season. Tauson showed the easy power, sharp ball-striking and ability to go toe-to-toe with the three-time major champion at times. Sabalenka’s superior movement around the court and the fact she competed with more positive energy were essential elements in her two hour, six-minute win.
Brisbane champion Sabalenka, who must reach at least the AO semifinals to retain her No. 1 ranking, will play either 14th-seeded Mirra Andreeva in a rematch of their Roland Garros clash or No. 23-seeded Magdalena Frech for a quarterfinal spot.
Auckland champion Tauson won the toss, elected to receive and immediately broke when Sabalenka slapped a flat forehand into net.
That was a prelude of a pattern.
In a match of imposing servers, the returner dominated the early going as the pair collaborated on seven straight service breaks to open the match.
Clad completely in crimson, Tauson wasn’t even red-lining when she rocketed a forehand return winner that froze the world No. 1 and helped her break for 4-3.
It was the first time since 2022 San Diego that Sabalenka was broken four times in one set.
“Honestly I would say that conditions here were tough to serve,” Sabalenka said. “Heavy conditions every time we were making those breaks it was like keep pushing keep doing your best.
“It was really important to get all of those breaks back. It could go either way. I’m just super happy I was able to pull out this match and be in the fourth round.” Thirty-four minutes into the match, Tauson finally started landing first serves down the T as she scored the first hold for 5-3.
The two-time champion knocked off a forehand volley wrapping a love hold for her first hold after 36 minutes of play.
When Tauson stepped up to serve for the first set, Sabalenka greeted her with a screaming forehand winner down the line. Sabalenka streaked through seven points in a row breaking back then stamping her second love hold for 6-5.
The Dane sliced a wide serve to save set point.
A clever Tauson saved a second point with a feathery backhand drop shot.
Clubbing a high forehand volley, Tauson eliminated a third set point. Reading the wide serve, Sabalenka tomahawked a forehand return winner down the line for set point No. 4. Tauson erased it with a sliding first serve.
A stubborn Tauson hit a swing volley that helped her navigate a nine-and-a-half minute hold to force the first-set tiebreaker.
Shrugging off lost opportunities, Sabalenka surged to a 4-1 lead in the breaker. Tauson torched three winners in a row edging ahead 5-4. Sabalenka ran off the final three points, pounding a forehand winner to take the 63-minute opener.
The 22-year-old Tauson staved off three break points holding to start the second set.
As the set progressed, Sabalenka grew stronger, while Tauson was showing signs of frustration.
Sabalenka broke in the third game before muscling a backhand winner down the line confirming the break for 3-1.
The top seed saved a couple of break points and made a lunging stretch volley that helped her hold for 4-2.
When she sets her feet, Tauson can be very dangerous off the low ball. Driving a diagonal forehand winner, Tauson broke back with a blast to level the set after eight games.
Every time Tauson made a push, Sabalenka shoved right back.
Sabalenka slashed a forehand winner to break for 5-4 then banged a backhand down the line to seal her 17th straight AO victory.