Sabalenkas Jubelschrei. © APA/afp / DAVID GRAY
World number one Aryna Sabalenka became the first tennis player to reach the quarterfinals at the Australian Open.
25 January 2026
From: apa/dpa
The two-time Melbourne champion beat Victoria Mboko from Canada 6:1, 7:6 (7:1) in the round of 16 and is now in the last eight of a Grand Slam tournament for the 13th time in a row. The 27-year-old Belarusian converted her fifth match point after 86 minutes at the Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka, who surprisingly lost to the American Madison Keys in the final last year, had everything under control for a long time against the Canadian, who was eight years younger than her. She led 6:1, 4:1 before Mboko improved and gave the big favorite a tough fight. With the score at 4:5, the Canadian fended off three match points and then took Sabalenka’s serve.
The Canadian (right) put a lot of pressure on Sabalenka at the end. © ANSA / ROB PREZIOSO
The decision now had to be made in the tiebreak, where Sabalenka once again demonstrated her impressive nerves. It was the 20th tiebreak in a row won by the world number one. The last time she lost a tiebreak was at the French Open 2023.
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