Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka described her doubles win over Lesia Tsurenko as “perfection”, but issued an ominous warning to her rivals when she said she could be “better”.
The second seed defeated her Ukrainian opponent in just 52 minutes to qualify for the fourth round at Melbourne Park in a performance that would have made her competitors stand up and take notice.
Sabalenka defeated No. 28 seed 6-0, 6-0 at Rod Laver Arena to set up a match with American Amanda Anisimova in the round of 16.
The 25-year-old is yet to drop a set and has only dropped six matches so far in her Australian Open defense.
In her three matches so far, Sabalenka has spent a total of 2 hours and 52 minutes on the court.
And Sabalenka, who won her first Grand Slam title in Melbourne last year.
“I think the performance today was really perfect,” Sabalenka said after winning the third round.
“I'm happy with the level I played today.”
But Sabalenka, who won her maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne last year, said she hoped to find another opportunity in her quest to win back-to-back Australian Open titles.
“Well, there's always something to improve, you know,” Sabalenka said.
“That's why you can't be happy with the level you're at now, so you always have to keep moving and keep improving.
“That's why I said like 'better'.”
Sabalenka previously said that the record set by world number one Iga Swiatek last year motivated her to want to sweep away her rivals.
“Last year Iga won many sets 6-0 and this is one of the goals I have to try to get closer to,” Sabalenka said on court after the match.
“I'm very happy with the level I'm playing, and I hope I can continue like this or even better.”
Asked if the tournament was something she would lose, Sabalenka said she was worried about the road she still had ahead of her.
“Listen, it's tennis. As we can see by losing some top players in previous matches, anything can happen, so I don't want to look at that,” Sabalenka said.
“I'm just focusing on each game at a time. If I'm ready, I'm ready to be in another one; if not, I'm not. I'm just trying to do my best and prepare myself the best I can for each game.”
Sabalenka expected a difficult match against Anisimova, who returned after a break from tennis last May to focus on her mental health due to fatigue.
“First of all, I'm happy to have her back on the tour. Secondly, we had a lot of great matches against each other, and the fights were always tough.
“I'm glad my first week wasn't simple, but it wasn't very long games. The first week passed… now it's time to focus on the next week.
“I don't expect easy matches because when you get to the final stages of tournaments, it's not easy at all.
“I'm just trying to prepare myself the best I can and make sure I perform at my best and compete at a high level.”
Originally published as Australian Open Day 7 live: Latest news and results from Melbourne Park
