New Delhi: Top ranked Aryna Sabalenka overcame early jitters to beat Bai Zhuoxuan 6-3 6-1 to progress into theird round of Australian Open in Melbourne
on Wednesday.
The Belarusian, a winner at Melbourne Park in 2023 and 2024, raced to a 5-0 lead only to falter as she was broken back by her Chinese opponent, who won three games in a row.
Though Sabalenka grew increasingly agitated but eventually won the opening game and then steadied herself in the second set to dispaly the gulf in quality between the two players.
“Tricky opponent, she really stepped in on the first set and for a moment I felt: what shall I do? She’s crashing it,” the 27-year-old said after her win on Rod Laver Arena.
“There’s always a little gap to improve but I’m happy that in that game I didn’t lose it and I was focused and I was trying to tell myself, one at a time, it’s going to come back.
“You’re ok, just keep fighting, keep trying and I’m glad I did it well.”
