Sabalenka Survives Rod Laver Arena Thriller to Reach Australian Open Fourth Round

Aryna Sabalenka once again proved why she sits atop the women’s game. On January 23, 2026, the world No. 1 battled past a fearless Anastasia Potapova in a tense third-round clash at the Australian Open, winning 7-6(4), 7-6(7) in just over two hours at a buzzing Rod Laver Arena. It wasn’t a routine victory—it was a test of nerve, power, and championship composure.

From the first ball, the match had “classic” written all over it. Potapova came out swinging, refusing to be intimidated by Sabalenka’s status or reputation. She matched the Belarusian’s pace, redirected her power with precision, and constantly pressured Sabalenka’s serve. Long rallies, heavy groundstrokes, and big returns kept the crowd locked in, knowing every point could swing the momentum.

The opening set turned into a mental arm-wrestle. Neither player could break, and the tiebreak felt like a mini-final. Sabalenka leaned on her experience, stepping inside the baseline and ripping forehands with controlled aggression. Potapova pushed her to the limit, but a couple of clutch returns from Sabalenka sealed the breaker 7-4 and gave the top seed the early edge.

If the first set was tense, the second was dramatic. Potapova raised her level even further, saving break points and creating chances of her own. The arena buzzed as both players refused to blink. Again, it went to a tiebreak—and again, Sabalenka was forced to dig deep. At 7-7, with the pressure peaking, she unleashed two fearless shots: a booming serve followed by a clean winner to close out the match.

This was not Sabalenka at her most comfortable, but it might have been Sabalenka at her most impressive. Champions aren’t just defined by easy wins—they’re defined by how they survive when everything feels on the edge. Against Potapova, she showed patience, belief, and a willingness to suffer for every point.

For Potapova, the loss will sting, but her performance sent a loud message. She went toe-to-toe with the world No. 1 on the biggest stage and never backed down. Her fearless tennis suggests bigger runs are coming soon.

As for Sabalenka, the victory sends her into the fourth round battle-tested and focused. If she wants to lift the trophy in Melbourne again, nights like this—gritty, emotional, and exhausting—are exactly the kind she’ll need to conquer. And if this match is any indication, the world No. 1 is more than ready for whatever comes next.