MELBOURNE (AFP) – Fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka marched into the last 16 of the Australian Open yesterday and then declared she would have to “stay low like a tiger” to beat in-form Belinda Bencic.
The Belarusian mauled 32nd-ranked Belgian Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-3 on Margaret Court Arena to burgeon her status as a favourite for the first Grand Slam of the year.
Bencic, of Switzerland, was just as dominant in her 6-2, 7-5 victory over Italy’s Camila Giorgi on Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka described how she would try to cope with hard-hitting Bencic and her big serve.
“I feel like I have to stay really aggressive in the first few shots and then the slower ball or shorter ball will come,” Sabalenka told reporters at Melbourne Park.
“It’s all about fast feet on the first few shots. I have to be like a tiger, ready, stay low and be ready for that.”
Sabalenka needed just 74 minutes to beat her former doubles partner Mertens – the pair won five titles together including the Australian Open in 2021 – but said it hadn’t been as easy as it looked.
“It’s really tough to play against her, especially. She’s a great player, unbelievable fighter,” said the powerful Sabalenka, who is yet to win a major.
“I knew it’s going to be tough. I’m super happy that I was able to stay focussed from beginning to the end to win this match because she’s an amazing player.”
