Australian Open 2026: Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka advance to the third round

Sabalenka, who has not lost a match so far in 2026, will face Anastasia Potapova in the third round at Melbourne Park, after the Russian-born Austrian defeated British top seed Emma Raducano.

Like Gauff, top seed Sabalenka was quick to assert herself against an opponent 701 places behind her, winning five straight games in the first 15 minutes.

But the Grand Slam champion was initially frustrated as she looked to improve, having her serve broken before being denied the first six set points.

With Bey’s resistance ended, Sabalenka achieved victory. She has now won 45 of her last 50 sets at the Australian Open – a record bettered only by Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, Monica Seles and Serena Williams in the Open era.

“This seems crazy and surreal, to be honest,” said Sabalenka, who won the Melbourne title in 2023 and 2024.

“I never thought people would compare me with these names, even though I am so far behind their achievements.

“It motivates me to keep doing my job. This means to me that I am on the right path.”