Aryna Sabalenka reaches Australian Open 2026 quarterfinals

First-seeded Aryna Sabalenka, attempting to win her third Australian Open title in four years, reached the quarterfinals Sunday with a victory over No. 17 Victoria Mboko of Canada 6-1, 7-6 (1). Sabalenka, using a high-powered serve that produced three aces in the first set, rolled over the 19-year-old Canadian in just 31 minutes.

Sabalenka was not quite as dominant in the second set — producing a few more unforced errors — against Mboko, who played well enough to beat many players but not the two-time Australian Open champion. “What an incredible player for such a young age,” the 27-year-old Sabalenka said in her on-court interview of Mboko. “It’s incredible to see these kids coming up on Tour. I can’t believe I say that. I feel like I’m a kid.

“She pushed me so much, and I’m happy to be through.” Sabalenka led the second set 4-1, and then failed to convert three match points while leading 5-4. Mboko slowly took back the momentum and forced a tiebreaker, Sabalenka went on to dominate.

It was the 20th straight tiebreak victory for Sabalenka. “I try to — not to think this is a tiebreak and play point by point, and I guess that’s the key to consistency,” she said. Sabalenka won this Grand Slam in 2023 and 2024, and she was the runner-up last year against Madison Keys. The Belarusian has also won two U.S. Open titles.

In a later match Sunday at Rod Laver Arena, the top-seeded man Carlos Alcaraz of Spain faced American No. 19 Tommy Paul for a spot in the quarterfinals. Men’s third seed Alexander Zverev and Coco Gauff, the women’s No. 3 seed, also played later for spots in the quarterfinals.