In a tougher-than-expected match, Aryna Sabalenka beat Clara Tauson 7-6 (5), 6-4 in a poor serving display by both players to open the sixth day of play on Rod Laver Arena.

By Shrivathsa Sridhar MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka overcame a wobbly display to reach the Australian Open fourth round while Carlos Alcaraz was at his dazzling best despite a blip as warm and windy weather tested the composure of players on Friday.

Naomi Osaka, a two-time champion in Australia, stopped playing because of a strained abdominal muscle after dropping the first set of her match against Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Belinda Bencic.

Australian Open: Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka was pushed to the limit while Carlos Alcaraz ... while Carlos Alcaraz dropped a set before surging into the last 16. Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka hits a return against Denmark's Clara Tauson during their ...

Elsewhere at Melbourne Park, Russian 12th seed Diana Shnaider has levelled her match one-set all against Croatian Donna Vekic on Margaret Court Arena - 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3) - while 11th-seeded Spaniard Paula Badosa took the first set 6-4 against Marta Kostyuk, of Ukraine, but is trailling 0-4 in the second set.

33-year-old Pavlyuchenkova did well to reach the QFs of the Australian Open this year and equalized with Sabalenka at the end of the second set. However, she was unable to upset the Belarusian, who is eyeing a hattrick of AO title wins this year.

Men’s winners in third-round action included No. 2 Alexander Zverev, No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, No. 7 Novak Djokovic ... winning streak at the tournament to 17 matches by eliminating Clara Tauson 7-6 (5), 6-4 on Friday. Like Gauff, Sabalenka is unbeaten ...

Lone Aussie Aleksandar Vukic takes on Brit Jack Draper after doubles walkover when Special Ks bowed out injured.

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz can set up a blockbuster quarter-final when the Australian Open enters the fourth round on Sunday

MELBOURNE, Australia — An imperious Aryna Sabalenka stayed on course for a historic third consecutive Australian Open crown on Sunday, while Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz can later set up a blockbuster quarterfinal. Double-defending champion ...

When is the Jack Draper v Carlos Alcaraz start time in the UK at the 2025 Australian Open? What is the order of play for Day 8 on Sunday, January 19?

MELBOURNE, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka overcame a wobbly display to reach the Australian Open fourth round while Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz were ... 6-4 victory over Clara Tauson that kept the Belarusian on track for ...