Shaky Sabalenka overcomes serve struggles to stay alive in Melbourne / Photo: WILLIAM WEST - AFP
-
Juventus, Palace cruise to Europa League wins, Bournemouth beat Sociedad
-
Venezuela unblocks some censored news sites
-
Stocks climb as oil retreats, Fed calms inflation fears
-
Samba stars on debut in Man City rout of Norwich
-
Russians begin voting in controlled election as war drags
-
Oversight Board blasts 'inadequate' Meta safeguards for AI deepfakes
-
Hispanics feel 'betrayed' on immigration, Republican warns Trump
-
The Easter Island origins of buzzy Malkovich drama 'Wild Horse Nine'
-
High-scoring Bears face Vikings in battle of NFL unbeatens
-
Third body recovered after Grand Canyon flash flood
-
'In our lane': Fed's Warsh defies Trump but still fighting for credibility
-
Harry makes first public appearance since return to UK
-
Trump admin makes major cut to endangered species protections
-
Abhishek hits record T20 ton as India sweep series 3-0
-
Princess Diana's brother makes new explosive claims against Charles
-
Abhishek hits record T20 ton as India sweep T20 series 3-0
-
Ovechkin on Russian political video: 'I support my country'
-
English FA calls for Infantino to release World Cup sell-off documents
-
Can we shut down AI?
-
GM delivers first components for US interceptor missiles
-
Teenager Sullivan named in new-look US squad
-
Trump admin overhauls key protection for endangered species
-
Travis Scott and Keith Richards feature on GTA VI soundtrack
-
Abhishek hits record T20 ton as India post 221-7 against Afghanistan
-
AFP photo shows Trump examining image of apparent Kennedy Center razing
-
Macron hosts Lebanon security talks to back 'indispensable' army
-
Pochettino rings changes for USA friendlies
-
Final rally of season in Saudi Arabia cancelled due to Middle East conflict
-
Alonso says Chelsea ambition 'very clear' after end of Boehly era
-
Gaza documentary sparks political storm in Israel
-
Mbappe draws political fire over Ceuta t-shirt controversy
-
King Charles warns tech bosses of 'existential dangers' of AI
-
Third malaria death in Germany from outbreak tied to Frankfurt airport
-
French fishermen block ports over petrol prices
-
AtlasClear Holdings Reports Preliminary Fiscal 2026 Revenue of Approximately $20.1 Million, Up 85%; Revenue Plus Interest Income of Approximately $21.9 Million
-
AFP photo shows Trump examining image of Kennedy Center apparent demolition
-
Alonso says Chelsea ambition clear after end of Boehly era
-
Andersson vows to take Sweden in 'new direction' after election win
-
Micron's Taiwan workers say 68 months' bonus not enough
-
Turkey's Erdogan to run again in early 2028 vote, top adviser says
-
'Another arrow to the quiver': World Bank posts record private capital mobilization
-
Sweden's Andersson: a trusted, no-nonsense political operator
-
Macron hosts Lebanon security talks as UN mission nears end
-
Canada's Carney pushes 'new alliance' with EU despite Trump threats
-
From land to race laws: what's driving the US-South Africa rift?
-
Ireland to boycott Eurovision 2027 over Gaza
-
Beyond Investment Returns: Families Are Measuring Wealth by Freedom, Continuity, and Legacy, According to Nour Private Wealth
-
India's Tata Sons reappoints N. Chandrasekaran as chairman
-
King Charles disputes claims in book by Princess Diana's brother
-
Sweden's left-wing wins election thriller
Shaky Sabalenka overcomes serve struggles to stay alive in Melbourne
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka battled through serving woes Wednesday to make the Australian Open third round, but it was a less-than-convincing display by the world number one.
The Belarusian dropped serve three times and faced 11 break points before overcoming Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Rod Laver Arena 6-3, 7-5, rattling off the last five games in a row.
It was her 16th consecutive victory on Melbourne's centre court after back-to-back titles and a first round win over 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens.
Next up is Denmark's 42nd-ranked Clara Tauson, who faces a daunting task given the 26-year-old's record on the blue hardcourts.
Overall, Sabalenka is 16-2 on Rod Laver Arena with her only losses against Serena Williams in 2021 and Ashleigh Barty in 2018.
"She played incredible tennis today and it was really tough one. I expected this tennis from her, I'm really glad I was able to win this match," she said.
"In the second set, honestly, I wasn't rushing too much. After 5-2 I thought, 'okay whatever, we'll leave this set and move on'.
"But I was able to turn it around and super happy to win in straight sets against someone like her who really makes you work for every point."
Bouzas had some pedigree, beating then reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova at the All England Club last year, while steadily climbing the rankings to her current 54.
Both players' radars were off in a seesawing opening set, with five service breaks, two against the top seed.
Sabalenka eventually reduced the error count to hold for 5-2 then again to take the set in a shaky 44 minutes.
The service wobbles returned in the second set and a wayward forehand gave Bouzas a break to move 3-1 ahead, then she held with an ace to turn the tables.
The Spaniard served for the set at 5-3, but Sabalenka dug herself out of a hole to break back when the 22-year-old netted a backhand.
Bouzas Maneiro had run out of gas, broken again before the Belarusian served out for the match.
Sabalenka is hunting down a rare hat-trick of consecutive Australian Open wins, a feat last achieved 26 years ago by Martina Hingis and only matched by four other women in history.
O.M.Souza--AMWN