Fifth seed Aryna Sabalenka marched into the final 16 of the Australian Open on Saturday after which declared she must “keep low like a tiger” to beat in-form Belinda Bencic.
The Belarusian mauled Thirty second-ranked Belgian Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-3 on Margaret Court docket Area to burgeon her standing as a favorite for the primary Grand Slam of the yr.
Bencic, of Switzerland, was simply as dominant in her 6-2, 7-5 victory over Italy’s Camila Giorgi on Rod Laver Area.
Sabalenka described how she would strive to deal with hard-hitting Bencic and her large serve.
“I really feel like I’ve to remain actually aggressive within the first few photographs after which the slower ball or shorter ball will come,” Sabalenka informed reporters at Melbourne Park.
“It is all about quick toes on the primary few photographs. I’ve to be like a tiger, prepared, keep low and be prepared for that.”
Sabalenka wanted simply 74 minutes to beat her former doubles associate Mertens — the pair received 5 titles collectively together with the Australian Open in 2021 — however stated it hadn’t been as simple because it regarded.
“It is actually powerful to play towards her, particularly. She’s a fantastic participant, unbelievable fighter,” stated the highly effective Sabalenka, who’s but to win a significant.
“I knew it should be powerful. I am tremendous completely satisfied that I used to be capable of keep centered from starting to the tip to win this match as a result of she’s a tremendous participant.”
Sabalenka, who has admitted to affected by big-match jitters up to now, stated she needed to keep centered as expectation grows that she might win a maiden Grand Slam title in Melbourne.
“Earlier than, within the second week, I bear in mind I used to be getting nervous. I used to be overthinking, overdreaming,” she admitted.
“I used to be too emotional on court docket. I actually imagine if I’ll keep the identical calm mindset on court docket, I actually imagine that I can get it.”
Sabalenka and Olympic champion Bencic are each on a roll this yr in Australia.
They every received titles in Adelaide earlier this month, each are but to drop a set in Melbourne and each at the moment are on seven-match unbeaten runs.
One thing must give after they conflict on Monday for a spot within the quarter-finals.
“Sabalenka is a really aggressive participant, has loads of energy,” stated Bencic, who’s aiming to turn out to be solely the second Swiss girl to win the Australian Open after Martina Hingis, the 1997, 1998 and 1999 champion.
Bencic, who final week returned to the world’s prime 10 for the primary time since 2021, has Sabalenka’s former coach Dmitry Tursunov in her nook for the fourth-round encounter.
“Dmitry was her coach earlier than, so he may help me loads. I hope so,” stated Bencic.