Aryna Sabalenka has continued her unbeaten begin to the yr to scorch into the Australian Open second spherical on a searing scorching second day of the championships in Melbourne.
The Belarusian fifth seed had an excessive amount of firepower for Czech Tereza Martincova, prevailing 6-1 6-4 to flee the oppressive situations on Rod Laver Arena after simply 69 minutes.
“I definitely need to cool down,” Sabalenka stated because the mercury in Melbourne hit 33 levels.
“It wasn’t an easy match and I’m super happy with the win.”
Yet to drop a set in 5 matches in 2023 after reigning on the Adelaide International, Sabalenka looms as a critical title challenger after reaching the semi-finals of the US Open in September on equally quick arduous courts.
But the 25-year-old is competing with out the presence of her nationwide flag at Melbourne Park after Open officers on Tuesday banned Belarusian and Russian banners from the season-opening grand slam.
Russian and Belarusian gamers are solely allowed to compete on the Open beneath a impartial banner following the continuing invasion of Ukraine.
Sabalenka is waging her personal battle to lastly declare her maiden main after years carrying the tag of being one of many sport’s greatest gamers with out a grand slam title.
Runner-up to Caroline Garcia on the season-ending WTA Finals in November, Sabalenka subsequent performs American Shelby Rogers within the second spherical on Thursday.
