Australian Open: Sabalenka powers past Chinese foe to advance

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Aryna Sabalenka’s Australian Open redemption tour continued after schooling Bai Zhuoxuan of China, 6-3, 6-1, on Jan. 21, 2026, at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.

With the third-round win, Sabalenka continued her dominant outing in the ongoing Grand Slam tournament and has yet to drop a single set since drubbing Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah of France in the opening round.

Already ahead by a double break in the first set, Sabalenka never looked back and displayed masterful tennis by pinning the Chinese challenger behind the baseline.

Sabalenka packed her groundstrokes with enough topspin to neutralize Bai’s net prowess, doing so in convincing fashion after tallying 14 long rally exchange points in the first set alone.

Aside from her baseline adjustments, Sabalenka also wrapped up the showdown with more consistent service games compared to her first-round win over Rajaonah.

Sabalenka took a 1-0 lead after pummeling a down-the-line forehand winner, followed by a net volley that landed on Bai’s backhand side during the ninth game of the set.

Just when Bai thought a risky serve-and-volley move could catch Sabalenka off guard, the more experienced Belarusian ace played a high lob to perfection to shrug off any tricky surprises.

Sabalenka officially left Bai behind after taking a 4-1 lead before scoring another break point to formalize her third-round seat in Melbourne.

Too powerful and too crafty in the clash, Sabalenka wrapped up the victory with 68 total points in just two sets.

Sabalenka was also dominant on the receiving end, recording 34 return points while scoring five break points and four service aces.

Meanwhile, American Madison Keys also punched a ticket to the next round after sweeping Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine, 7-6, 6-1.