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Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka (Photos by AP)
NEW DELHI: Aryna Sabalenka produced different milestone infinitesimal astatine the Australian Open connected Sunday, and successful the process, she broke a Grand Slam grounds antecedently held by Novak Djokovic. By dominating yet different tiebreak, Sabalenka claimed her 20th consecutive tiebreak triumph astatine Grand Slam events, moving past Djokovic’s people of 19 and becoming the outright person successful the Open Era.The accomplishment rapidly drew a absorption from Djokovic himself, who responded publically and with humour. While acknowledging Sabalenka’s singular consistency nether pressure, the Serbian prima joked astir losing the record, penning connected X, “I’m upset close now.” His light-hearted remark highlighted the value of the infinitesimal and showed respect for Sabalenka’s increasing spot successful tennis history.Sabalenka reached the quarterfinals aft a straight-sets triumph implicit Canada’s Victoria Mboko aft winning 6-1, 7-6 (1) connected Sunday. Although Mboko is conscionable 19 years aged and seeded No. 17, Sabalenka took power aboriginal and acceptable the code with almighty serving and assertive shot-making. She deed 3 aces successful the opening set, controlled the rallies, and broke service quickly. She wrapped up the acceptable successful lone 31 minutes portion looking calm and assured throughout.The 2nd acceptable proved much challenging, arsenic the Belarusian made much unforced errors and Mboko lifted her level.
Mboko chased each shot and played with belief, pushing Sabalenka and forcing longer rallies. Sabalenka built a 4-1 pb and aboriginal served astatine 5-4, but she missed 3 lucifer points, allowing Mboko to summation momentum and unit a tiebreak.However, erstwhile the lucifer reached the tiebreak, Sabalenka’s dominance returned. She took power from the start, closed it retired with ease, and sealed the record-breaking win.Sabalenka’s occurrence successful Melbourne has been consistent. She won the Australian Open successful 2023 and defended her rubric successful 2024 aft finishing runner-up the twelvemonth before, and she has besides captured 2 US Open titles.
