Aryna Sabalenka, 5th in the world, clearly dominated the Belgian Elise Mertens (32nd) 6-2, 6-3 on Saturday in the third round of the Australian Open and joined for the third time in a row the round of 16 in Melbourne.
“I’m playing better than last year and maybe that’s why I’m having more fun,” said the 24-year-old Belarusian who will face Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic (10th) on Monday to try to climb for the first time in the quarter-finals of the Australian Major. She has reached the Grand Slam semi-finals three times (Wimbledon 2021, US Open 2021 and 2022).
Sabalenka is yet to drop a single set not only of the tournament but of the year, which began with a title at Adelaide 1. “That’s a great stat, but I don’t care. I’m just trying to keep playing my best,” she said. His next opponent Bencic also remains on a title before the Australian Open, in Adelaide 2.
