In an intense fourth-round matchup at the Australian Open, Canadian up-and-comer Victoria Mboko faced world number one Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday. Though Mboko fought hard, she ultimately lost in straight sets of 6-1 and 7-6, with the match lasting one hour and 26 minutes. This marks a significant moment as Mboko became the first Canadian female player to reach the last 16 in Melbourne since Eugenie Bouchard in 2015.
Match Overview
This was the first career meeting between Victoria Mboko and Aryna Sabalenka, a contest anticipated to be challenging for the young Canadian. Sabalenka had a notable record, reaching the last 16 in her last 13 Grand Slam appearances.
Set One
- Mboko began strong, earning two break points in the first game.
- Sabalenka quickly eliminated both threats and broke Mboko’s serve twice.
- The first set concluded with Sabalenka dominating 6-1 in just 31 minutes.
Set Two
The second set showcased a more resilient Mboko. After falling behind 4-1, she broke Sabalenka’s serve, narrowing the score to 4-3. With Sabalenka serving for the match at 5-4, Mboko capitalized on her third break point to tie the set at 5-5.
- Sabalenka demonstrated her strength in the tiebreak, winning seven of the next eight points.
- With this victory, Sabalenka advances to the quarter-finals, continuing her impressive streak.
Statistics and Records
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Mboko’s Break Points | 3 out of 9 |
| Sabalenka’s Last 20 Tiebreaks Won | 20 |
| Match Duration | 1 hour 26 minutes |
Looking Ahead
Aryna Sabalenka will next face the winner between Yulia Putintseva and Iva Jovic. Sabalenka aims for her third title at the Australian Open, having previously won in 2023 and 2024, after finishing as a runner-up to Madison Keys last year.
Gabriela Dabrowski’s Success in Doubles
In doubles action, Gabriela Dabrowski and her partner Luisa Stefani secured their spot in the quarter-finals with a straight-set victory, overcoming Cristina Bucsa and Nicole Melichar-Martinez with scores of 6-4 and 6-3. The duo has yet to lose a set in the tournament, successfully converting five break points from nine opportunities.
