World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka secured a spot in the fourth round of the Australian Open 2026 after a challenging victory over Anastasia Potapova at Rod Laver Arena. Sabalenka, a four-time major champion, faced a tough test, managing to win 7-6(4), 7-6(7) in a two-hour, two-minute match, her longest at this year’s tournament.
Despite initially leading 7-6(4), 4-0, Sabalenka had to fight back as Potapova pushed her to the limit. The Belarusian player saved four set points in the second-set tiebreak to clinch the hard-fought win. Sabalenka expressed her joy and satisfaction with the victory, acknowledging the intense battle on the court.
Sabalenka, who recently won her 22nd career title at the Brisbane International, is on an eight-match winning streak in 2026. She has maintained a remarkable record of reaching the fourth round or better in the last 13 Grand Slam events she has participated in, dating back to Roland Garros in 2022.
In the upcoming fourth round, Sabalenka will face Victoria Mboko from Canada, her first seeded opponent in this year’s Australian Open. Mboko, the 17th seed, secured her spot by defeating 14th seed Clara Tauson in a challenging match. Despite facing setbacks, Mboko displayed resilience and skill to claim victory and set up a clash with Sabalenka.
