World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka overcame an early wobble to defeat China’s Bai Zhuoxuan 6-3, 6-1 on Wednesday, advancing to the third round of the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena.
The top seed surged to a 5-0 lead in the opening set before Bai, a defensive-minded qualifier, mounted a spirited resistance with clever drop shots and aggressive returns. Sabalenka needed seven set points to finally close out the set, briefly showing frustration as Bai reeled off three consecutive games.
Sabalenka regrouped quickly in the second set, asserting her power and depth to race to a 4-0 lead and concede just one game as she sealed the match in dominant fashion. She also experimented with serve-and-volley tactics as part of an effort to diversify her game.
“It was a tricky opponent,” Aryna Sabalenka said. “She really stepped in during the first set. I’m happy I stayed focused and fought through it.”
The two-time defending Australian Open champion is seeking her fifth Grand Slam singles title, having also won two U.S. Opens. She has now won 22 of her last 23 matches at Melbourne Park and moves into the round of 32 for the seventh time in her career.
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Bai, ranked outside the world’s top 700, was making her second Australian Open appearance and reached the second round for the first time.
Elsewhere in the women’s draw, 12th seed Elina Svitolina defeated Linda Klimovicova 7-5, 6-1, while Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sönmez advanced to the third round with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Anna Bondar, cheered on by a vocal Turkish crowd.
On the men’s side, 18th seed Francisco Cerundolo beat Damir Dzumhur in straight sets, and 19th seed Tommy Paul defeated Thiago Agustin Tirante. Later, top seed Carlos Alcaraz and third seed Coco Gauff were scheduled to play their second-round matches.
