Melbourne, January 17, 2024, The Europe Today: In a commanding display, second seed Aryna Sabalenka secured her place in the third round of the Australian Open by defeating 16-year-old Czech sensation Brenda Fruhvirtova with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory on Wednesday. Despite facing resistance early in the match, Sabalenka’s resilience shone through as she showcased her experience and skill on Rod Laver Arena.
Acknowledging Fruhvirtova’s remarkable performance, Sabalenka praised the young talent, stating, “I think for someone who is 16, she’s doing an incredible job. She’s an unbelievable player, if she keeps on working she’ll be at the top real soon.”
Sabalenka, focused on her own game, expressed satisfaction with the win, emphasizing her commitment to fighting for every point. After a brief challenge in the opening set, Sabalenka regained her composure, securing a 5-3 lead and ultimately clinching the set. The Belarusian then dominated the second set, storming to a 4-0 lead.
While Fruhvirtova managed to get on the board, Sabalenka’s determination and precision proved insurmountable as she sealed the victory with a flurry of winners. Looking ahead, the 25-year-old will face either Ukrainian 28th seed Lesia Tsurenko or Spain’s Rebeka Masarova in the next round, continuing her quest to defend her Australian Open title.
