Arina Sabalenka Won two tiebreakers at Rod Laver Arena Anastasia Potapova6-7, 6-7.
The world number one was pushed to the end by Hungary’s Potapova, but will walk off the court relieved without having to play a third set.
Aryna Sabalenka looked relieved after her tough fight against Anastasia Potapova.credit: Getty Images
The second set was a surprising turn of events. Sabalenka looked like she was going for an instant kill after opening up a 4-0 lead, but Potapova fought back fiercely.
She won four games on the trot and had multiple more chances to break Sabalenka’s serve.
In fact, when the match reached a tie-break, it looked like Potapova had the upper hand and all the money was on the line. She had four set points, but each time Cervlenka increased her intensity and held her nerve.
In the end, they won 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (9-7) and advanced to the second week of the tournament.
This is familiar territory for Sabalenka, who won there in 2023 and 2024 before losing to Madison Keys in last year’s final.