Aryna Sabalenka Shrugs Off Frustration to Cruise Into the Australian Open Third Round
MELBOURNE — For Aryna Sabalenka, the path to dominance isn’t always smooth — but it is increasingly controlled. The world No. 1 once again showed why she sits atop women’s tennis, burying early frustration and riding her mental strength and booming serve to a composed 6–3, 6–1 victory over Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan at the Australian Open.
The win sends Sabalenka into the third round for the sixth consecutive year, extends her unbeaten start to 2026 to 7–0, and reinforces her reputation as a champion who now wins the matches she is supposed to win — even when momentum briefly wobbles.
A Lightning Start… Then Resistance
Sabalenka burst out of the gates in trademark fashion, racing through the first five games in just 15 minutes. Her serve was untouchable, her returns aggressive, and it looked as though another routine early-round demolition was on the cards.
But Bai, ranked No. 55 in the world, refused to fade. Finding her footing inside Rod Laver Arena, she suddenly raised her level — extending rallies, changing pace, and forcing Sabalenka into uncomfortable positions. What had seemed inevitable quickly turned complicated.
The opening set stretched unexpectedly. Sabalenka earned six set points, only to see them slip away as Bai dug deep and pushed multiple games to deuce. A previous version of Sabalenka — the one still learning how to control emotion under pressure — might have unraveled.
This one did not.
Champion’s Composure at the Crucial Moment
Serving at deuce in the ninth game, Sabalenka leaned into her greatest weapon. She hammered down an unreturnable serve to earn a seventh set point, followed it with another blistering delivery, and finally closed the set.
The release was immediate — and decisive.
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From there, the match swung sharply back in Sabalenka’s favor. With the tension gone, she played freely, storming through the second set and sealing victory in just 1 hour and 12 minutes.
“I was trying to tell myself, ‘One at a time, it’s OK, it’s going to come back, keep fighting,’” Sabalenka said afterward. “I’m really happy I was able to stay focused and close it out.”
The Numbers Tell the Story
Though the scoreline appears routine, the performance revealed Sabalenka’s growth:
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24 winners, showcasing her attacking intent
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21 unforced errors, with 14 coming in the opening nine games
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A flawless 7–0 record to start the 2026 season
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7–0 lifetime in second-round matches at Melbourne
Most tellingly, Sabalenka has now gone more than three years without losing to a player ranked outside the Top 100, her last such defeat coming against Kaia Kanepi at the 2022 US Open.
That consistency is the hallmark of a champion in full control of her game.
Mental Growth on Full Display
What stood out most wasn’t the power — that’s always been there — but Sabalenka’s calm under pressure. Bai’s resilience forced her to problem-solve on the fly, adjust patterns, and trust her instincts instead of forcing winners.
“She really stepped up in the first set,” Sabalenka admitted. “For a moment, I was thinking, ‘What should I do?’ But I stayed there mentally.”
That ability to reset, refocus, and execute separates Sabalenka today from the player she was earlier in her career.
The Draw Tightens Ahead
Awaiting Sabalenka in the third round is another unfamiliar challenge: Diana Shnaider, the No. 23 seed, who advanced after saving two match points in a dramatic comeback win. The matchup will be the first guaranteed seeded clash of Sabalenka’s tournament and a meaningful step up in difficulty.
Aryna Sabalenka shows champion’s composure at the Australian Open, easing past early resistance to stay on course in Melbourne
Elsewhere in the draw, strong performances continued from contenders such as Elina Svitolina, who remains undefeated in 2026 after her Auckland title, and Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez, who is enjoying a breakthrough run following her first-round upset.
Why This Win Matters
Sabalenka’s victory wasn’t about dominance alone — it was about control. The ability to absorb resistance, quiet the mind, and still finish ruthlessly is what defines champions who go deep at Grand Slams.
She didn’t panic when opportunities slipped. She didn’t rush when frustration crept in. Instead, she trusted her preparation, leaned on her serve, and waited for the moment to strike.
That moment came — and once it did, the match was over.
A Champion Moving With Purpose
As the Australian Open unfolds, Sabalenka continues to project inevitability. She’s not flawless, but she’s resilient. Not immune to pressure, but increasingly immune to collapse.
“I’m super happy with the win,” she said. “It gave me confidence that my game was there.”
For the rest of the field, that’s an ominous sign.
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Because when Aryna Sabalenka learns to bury frustration instead of fighting it, the path through Melbourne only grows steeper for everyone else.
