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Sabalenka dominates Andreeva at Australian Open to advance to quarter-finals

Aryna Sabalenka pumping her fist after beating Mirra Andreeva at the 2025 Australian Open
Aryna Sabalenka pumping her fist after beating Mirra Andreeva at the 2025 Australian OpenAFP / WILLIAM WEST
World number one Aryna Sabalenka (26) brushed aside teenager Mirra Andreeva (17) 6-1, 6-2 to romp into the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Sunday and remain on course for a third straight title.

Andreeva, the 14th seed, was simply unable to get going in the fourth-round clash on Rod Laver Arena as Sabalenka raised her level a couple of notches to extend her winning streak at Melbourne Park to 18 matches.

Sabalenka, who was stunned in three sets by Andreeva in the quarter-finals of last year's French Open, ramped up her serve at any hint of a threat from the 17-year-old and wrapped up the victory in just over an hour with an unreturnable serve.

"Always tough matches against Andreeva, she's so young but playing such great tennis," the 26-year-old said on the court.

"I'm super happy to get through this difficult match in straight sets."

The Belarusian had struggled with her serve in her third-round contest and said she was much happier playing in the hotter temperatures on Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.

"I'm super happy with my level today and I hope the conditions stay the same for the rest of the tournament," she added.

Neither player lost a point on their serve for the first three games but four straight forehand errors from Andreeva handed Sabalenka a break for 3-1.

The top seed never looked back from there, wrapping up the first set in 25 minutes and breaking again for 2-1 in the second on the back of a couple of double faults from Andreeva.

It was not all power from Sabalenka, who summoned up a couple of subtle drop shots as evidence of the wider repertoire she has been trying to add to her game.

Andreeva managed to put some pressure on Sabalenka's serve at 3-2 down but an ace and a drop shot helped the US Open champion see off the only three break points she would face in the contest.