Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenko, the reigning champion, made tournament history by securing an emphatic 6-0, 6-0 victory against 28th seed Lesia Tsurenko at the Australian Open with a swift and stunning performance.
The match took place at the Rod Laver Arena, where Sabalenka, decked out in deep red, put on a masterful course of tennis that lasted just 52 minutes.
From the first serve, Sabalenkova exuded unwavering determination, driving forward with every stroke. Ukrainian opponent Tsurenko was overwhelmed and overpowered at every turn. Sabalenkova’s aggressive style of play resulted in a measly 11 points for Tsurenko in the first set, while the Belarusian racked up an impressive 27 points.
The second set mirrored the first, Sabalenkova continued her relentless attack. Tsurenko tried to save points on her own serve, but Sabalenka closed the door firmly, breaking her opponent’s serve three times. The Belarusian’s relentless attack included 10 winners in the second set, culminating in victory when Tsurenko wobbled a forehand into the net.
Also read: 4-0: Clueless Pakistan suffer another humiliating defeat in New Zealand
Sabalenka’s journey to the 2024 Australian Open has been nothing short of spectacular. The defending champion’s remarkable form reflects her breakthrough in 2023 when she won the Australian Open and reached the finals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Sabalenkova’s rivals do not pose a significant challenge in Melbourne yet, as she easily eliminated German qualifier Ella Seidel and 16-year-old Brenda Fruhvirt.
As the tournament progresses, Sabalenko’s next challenge awaits in the form of the unseeded American Amanda Anisimová, who returns to the Grand Slam competition after an eight-month hiatus.
Sabalenka expressed her excitement to face Anisimova and expected a fierce battle between two formidable opponents who have a history of tough encounters.
