“It’s a Grand Slam,” Sabalenka stressed at a press conference. Regardless of the opponent’s ranking, “I have to fight. There are so many girls (…) who play without any fear, with nothing to lose and can put you in a difficult position. today (Wednesday) proved it again.”
In the next round, the Belarusian will face the Dane Clara Tauson (42nd), recent winner of the WTA 250 tournament in Auckland.
Double winner in Melbourne (2019 and 2021) and recent finalist in Auckland, the Japanese Naomi Osaka (51st) also advanced to the 3rd round thanks to her victory in three sets against the Czech Karolina Muchova (20th).
. Alcaraz mercilessly, Djokovic loses another set
Winner in three sets for his entry into the competition, world No.3 Carlos Alcaraz repeated this performance on Wednesday in the 2nd round by sweeping away the Japanese Yoshihito Nishioka (65th), eliminated 6-0, 6-1, 6-4.
“Physically, I feel in great shape. I just tried to stay focused and spend as little time as possible” on the court, said the four-time Grand Slam winner.
Ten-time winner of the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic once again let a set slip away against the young Portuguese Jaime Faria (125th), finally beaten 6-1, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 , 6-2.
A small statistical consolation, the Serbian became on Wednesday the player to have played the most Grand Slam singles matches in history (430), ahead of his former Swiss rival Roger Federer (429) and the American with 23 major titles Serena Williams (423), both retired.
“Grand Slam matches and victories are what matters most in our sport, so I am obviously delighted” with this new record, soberly commented the Serbian, who is preparing to challenge the Czech Tomas Machac (25th) in the 3rd round.
World No.2 Alexander Zverev, still in search of a first Grand Slam title at the age of 27, was to succeed Coco Gauff on the court of the Rod Laver Arena, where he will face the Spaniard Pedro Martinez (44th) .
The matches played on the annex courts, which had no roof, were interrupted for more than three hours, before resuming around 8:00 p.m. (09:00 GMT).
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