Australian Open: Aryna Sabalenka outlasts stubborn Clara Tauson to reach last 16

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Aryna Sabalenka wrestled her way past Clara Tauson to reach the last 16 of the Australian Open. The world number one was made to work on Friday (January 17) in a contest that lasted over two hours at Rod Laver Arena, but prevailed 7-5 (7-5) 6-4.

Tauson, who won the Auckland Open title earlier in January after Naomi Osaka retired hurt from the final, broke Sabalenka four times in the opening set. Yet the Dane saw four set points on Sabalenka's serve pass her by, opening the door for the top seed to take the edge through a tiebreak.

Sabalenka took the early break in set two, and though Tauson responded, the defending champion in Melbourne hit straight back. Tauson had break point at 40-30 up in the final game, but Sabalenka just had too much, and a superb backhand winner secured her passage into the last 16.

The Belarusian will next face either Magdalena Frech or teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva, who she lost to in the semi-finals at Roland-Garros in 2024 but beat en route to winning the title in Brisbane this month.

Data Debrief: Sure-fire Sabalenka

Sabalenka has become the first player to reach the last 16 in the women's singles at the Australian Open in five successive seasons since Simona Halep between 2018 and 2022. Only Iga Swiatek (15) has reached the round of 16 at more grand slams than Sabalenka (13) since the start of the 2020 season.