MELBOURNE, Australia — Top-seeded Sabalenka advanced to the third round of the Australian Open on Wednesday, defeating tenacious China’s Bai Zhouxuan 6-3, 6-1.
Sabalenka held off seven set points on Rod Laver Arena to take the first set against the defensive-minded Chinese player, who used a deft lob to keep her in the match.
Sabalenka won the 2023 and 2024 Australian Open titles but finished runner-up to Madison Keys a year ago. Sabalenka is seeking her fifth Grand Slam singles title and has also won the U.S. Open twice.
This is her second time competing in the Australian Open and reaching the second round for the first time.
