(Melbourne) Reigning Australian Open tennis champion Aryna Sabalenka and US Open champion Coco Gauff advanced to the fourth round on Friday, with one-sided victories on both sides.
Sabalenka (second) defeated Lesia Tsurenko (33e) 6-0 and 6-0. She only needed 52 minutes to win at Rod Laver Arena. Gauff (fourth) for her part defeated her American compatriot Alycia Parks (82e) 6-0 and 6-2.
PHOTO DAVID GRAY, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Coco Gauff
Sabalenka, who won her first major tournament title in Melbourne last year, has only missed three games since the start of the fortnight.
“Last year, Iga [Swiatek] has won so many rounds 6-0 and that’s one of the goals, to get close to her, Sabalenka said. I’m just very happy with my level of play so far. I hope I can continue like this or do even better. »
The two players did not shake hands – as is the convention for Ukrainians against Russian and Belarusian opponents – but Tsurenko congratulated Sabalenka verbally.
Sabalenka will face Amanda Anisimova (442e), who continued her momentum on her return to the circuit with a 7-5, 6-4 victory against Paula Badosa (100e). Anisimova, who took a seven-month leave of absence for mental health issues, hit 40 winners.
“It’s pretty incredible,” said the American. Certainly, taking a step back allowed me to have a new perspective on the sport. I try to stay in the present. I believe that in the past, I [pensais] too often in the past or in the future. »
Sabalenka expects a tough matchup against Anisimova, who has won four of the last five meetings between the two players.
“She’s a great player and I’m very happy she’s back,” Sabalenka said.
Gauff played a match practically free of the slightest error. She defeated Parks in 61 minutes, committing only eight unforced errors, compared to 34 for her less experienced opponent.