Aryna Sabalenka is set to continue her pursuit of a third Australian Open title in four years after overcoming the challenge posed by rising star Victoria Mboko. The top-ranked Sabalenka triumphed over the 19-year-old Canadian with a scoreline of 6-1, 7-6 (1) at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday, advancing her to the quarterfinals where she will face 18-year-old Iva Jovic.
Jovic, the 29th seed, made a significant impact in her last-16 match by dominating Yulia Putintseva with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 victory that lasted just 53 minutes. This marks Jovic’s first appearance in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament, and she has garnered praise and mentorship from 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic during the event.
Coco Gauff, who secured her first major title in 2023 while still a teenager, also progressed to the quarterfinals for the third consecutive year at the Australian Open. She clinched her spot with a hard-fought win over No. 19 Karolina Muchova, finishing the match 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. Gauff previously enjoyed a perfect record against Muchova, having won all four encounters leading to her title runs.
Throughout her match with Mboko, Sabalenka showcased her experience and skill, quickly taking the first set in just 31 minutes. However, the second set proved more challenging as Sabalenka struggled to convert three match points while leading 5-4. Mboko managed to gain momentum and pushed the set into a tiebreak, where Sabalenka ultimately reasserted her dominance. This victory marked Sabalenka’s 20th consecutive tiebreak win, demonstrating her resilience in pressure situations.
Sabalenka expressed admiration for her young opponent, remarking on Mboko’s impressive playfulness and skill at such a young age. She stated, “What an incredible player for such a young age. It’s incredible to see these kids coming up on Tour. I feel like I’m a kid!”
In addition to her singles performance, Jovic and Mboko were scheduled to play doubles together later that day against the experienced duo of Elise Mertens and Zhang Shuai. Following her singles victory, Jovic conveyed confidence in her game, focusing on her strengths ahead of the match against Sabalenka and expressing trust in her training and instincts.
As the tournament progresses, both Sabalenka and Jovic are making significant strides, showcasing the future of women’s tennis and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead for these young talents.