Aryna Sabalenka full of praise for Clara Tauson after beating her in Melbourne
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Aryna Sabalenka backed Clara Tauson to break into the top 10 after battling past the young Dane to set up a fourth-round clash with Mirra Andreeva. The two-time defending Australian Open champion was relieved to survive an intense contest on Rod Laver Arena, which she won 7-6 (5) 6-4 after two hours and six minutes.
Tauson led 5-3 in the opening set after seven straight breaks of serve to start the match while the 22-year-old, whose progress has been disrupted by injuries, fought back from 4-2 down in the second. “That was a great battle, she played unbelievable tennis,” said Sabalenka. “It was really tough to play against her today. I was super happy that I was just able to stay in the game and to push myself to the limit.
“She’s definitely a top-10 player. She put me under pressure. She played really great tennis under pressure, as well. It was a great level from her. If she’s going to continue working, improving herself, playing the way she played today, of course, she’s going to be there.”.
In the last 16, Sabalenka finds a familiar foe waiting in 17-year-old Andreeva, who was a 6-2 1-6 6-2 winner over Magdalena Frech. The world number one has won three of their four previous meetings, including in Brisbane earlier this month, but Andreeva pulled off a big win at the French Open last year.
“Honestly, I’m so tired to play against her,” said the Russian teenager. “I played her four or five times already. So, yeah, it’s a lot. Here we are again. I know that probably it’s going to be an entertaining match and, of course, I’m going to do everything possible.”.
