Aryna Sabalenka might be the reigning Australian Open champion and world No. 1, but even she couldn’t resist poking fun at herself after her latest win in sweltering conditions. The Belarusian powerhouse breezed past Mirra Andreeva in just over an hour, showcasing her dominance despite jokingly admitting that the heat is harder to handle “as I’m getting older.”
Sabalenka’s scorching performance
Under the blazing Australian sun on Rod Laver Arena, Sabalenka crushed 16-year-old Andreeva with a ruthless 6-1, 6-2 victory. The match, lasting just 62 minutes, was a masterclass in aggressive tennis as Sabalenka unleashed her trademark power game to overwhelm her opponent.
In her post-match interview with Jelena Dokic, Sabalenka laughed off the conditions. “Well, you know, I’m getting older, and I’m actually not sure if it’s good for me,” she joked, drawing cheers from the crowd. Despite her humor, Sabalenka left no doubt about her readiness to handle whatever Melbourne throws her way.
“Swinging like a rocket”
Sabalenka’s ability to adapt to the conditions was on full display. She noted that the heat made the balls feel lighter and the court faster, turning her already aggressive game into an unstoppable force.
“The previous day was so tough, the ball was heavy, and I had to swing really hard,” she said. “Today, I was just trying to put the ball back, and it was flying like a rocket, you know?”
Sabalenka, visibly pleased with her performance, added, “I’m super happy with my level. Hopefully, the conditions will stay in my favor for the rest of the tournament.”
A looming showdown with Pavlyuchenkova
With her quarterfinal berth secured, Sabalenka now faces Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a player with a surprising 2-1 lead in their head-to-head history. However, the two haven’t met since 2021, and much has changed since then. Pavlyuchenkova, now ranked world No. 32, has clawed her way back after a challenging period, setting the stage for a thrilling battle.
Sabalenka remains unfazed by the history books. With three Grand Slam titles to her name and a firm grip on the world No. 1 ranking, she is laser-focused on defending her Australian Open crown.
The queen of power tennis
Sabalenka’s combination of raw power, mental toughness, and adaptability has made her a force to be reckoned with. As she marches deeper into the tournament, the question isn’t just whether anyone can stop her—it’s whether the tennis world is witnessing the continued reign of a dominant champion in her prime.