Aryna Sabalenka broke Novak Djokovic’s Open era record of consecutive tie-breaks won at Grand Slams to defeat teenage Canadian Victoria Mboko and set up a mouth-watering Australian Open quarter-final against another of tennis’ rising stars – 18-year-old Iva Jovic.
The two-time champion won 6-1 7-6 (7-1) on Rod Laver Arena – sealing it with her 20th tie-break triumph in a row – and is yet to drop a set at this year’s Australian Open.
“It’s putting pressure on my opponents so that is what I like playing tie-breaks nowadays,” Sabalenka said after her latest victory.
“I just go into the tie-breaks and try to not think about this is a tie-break and I try and play point by point and I guess that’s the key to this consistency.”
In response to his record being topped, 24-time major winner Djokovic jokingly posted on X: “I’m upset right now”.
Belarusian Sabalenka has now reached at least the quarter-finals in 13 consecutive Grand Slam appearances and is two wins away from a fourth successive final in Melbourne.
The champion in 2023 and 2024, Sabalenka lost last year’s final to American Madison Keys.
“Her tie-break record is absolutely incredible, and she has always backed herself when the pressure is on,” said former British number one Annabel Croft on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.
The 27-year-old appeared to be cruising towards a comfortable victory against 17th seed Mboko, leading by a set and a double break.
However, she almost let a 4-1 lead slip in the second set and eventually clinched victory in a tie-break.
Former world number five Daniela Hantuchova added: “When you’re going into a tie-break she only has one plan and she trusts it.
“She is never ever going to question herself, and that is not an easy thing to do when you are a set and 4-1 up – and suddenly you find yourself in a very, very difficult and stressful position.”
