Aryna Sabalenka news: ‘Only 10 double faults’ as Belarusian laughs off her serving woes

Australian Open
Celebrations from Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka was able to laugh about her service struggles after battling through to the fourth round of the Australian Open.

The world No 2 has served 80 double faults during her first five matches of the season but is at least happy that the numbers are heading in the right direction.

She said after beating Marketa Vondrousova 4-6, 6-3, 6-1: “I’m really happy right now, and mostly really happy that I made only 10 double faults.”

Sabalenka has had to come from a set down in all three of her matches in Melbourne so far but is trying not to worry about her serving issues.

“I’m just trying to stay positive, and it’s working,” she said. “I wasn’t really thinking a lot about my serve. Maybe because the last matches I was able to break a lot of games. It gives me a little confidence on the returning games. That’s why maybe I served better today.”

Sabalenka will next face unseeded Estonian Kaia Kanepi, who was a 2-6, 6-2, 6-0 winner over Australian wild card Maddison Inglis.

Seventh seed Iga Swiatek has been in dominant form at Melbourne Park and the Pole eased through to round four with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Daria Kasatkina.

Danielle Collins held off a stern challenge from Danish teenager Clara Tauson, who knocked out sixth seed Anett Kontaveit in round two, fighting back to win 4-6, 6-4. 7-5.

In the last 16, the American will take on 19th seed Elise Mertens, who saw off Zhang Shuai 6-2, 6-2.

Aryna Sabalenka Iga Swiatek Marketa Vondrousova

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