Sabalenka easily ends Anisimova’s Australian Open run

Aryna Sabalenka continues to be dominant at the Australian Open.

Sabaleka powered her way into the quarter-finals of the season’s first Grand Slam by defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 6-2 during fourth-round action on Sunday afternoon. The world No 2 need just one hour and 10 minutes to advance. She awaits either Barbora Krejcikova or Mirra Andreeva in the last eight.

Sabalenka untouchable so far in Melbourne

Through four rounds, Sabalenka has lost a grand total of 11 games. Her run includes a 6-0, 6-0 double-bagel of Lesia Tsurenko in the third round and a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Ella Seidel in the opening round.

Anisimova wasn’t much more competitive on Sunday. The American, who was a semi-finalist at Roland-Garros in 2019, was visibly frustrated after falling behind 3-0 right away and from a mental standpoint she never really recovered. Anisimova finished with almost twice as many unforced errors (21) as winners (11) and won only 38 percent of her second-serve points.

“I’m super happy with the level,” said Sabalenka, who struck six aces and double-faulted just once. “I enjoy the atmosphere and hopefully I can stay here until the very last day.”

Staying until the last day is exactly what the Belarusian did in 2023. In fact, she won the title last year — defeating Elena Ryabkina in the championship match.

For Anisimova, it was still a productive fortnight in Melbourne. Once as high as No 21 in the world, the 22-year-old took eight months off before returning earlier this season in Auckland. She is currently ranked 442nd. Samsonva’s run at Melbourne Park included a first-round upset of Liudmila Samsonova and a third-round victory over Paula Badosa.

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