Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning world No. 1, sent a clear message at the Australian Open 2026 by demolishing Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan 6-3, 6-1 in 32 minutes, punching her ticket to the third round with ruthless efficiency.
Bai started shaky, hemorrhaging games to fall 0-5 early in the first set. Her two aces and break-point saves in the third game offered hope, but Sabalenka’s powerhouse game proved too much, taking the set before powering to 4-0 in the second and closing out in 74 minutes.
Sabalenka faces either Emma Raducanu (28th seed) or Anastasia Potapova next. The win notches her 25th Australian Open main draw victory since 2000, elite status shared with Serena Williams, Lindsay Davenport, Justine Henin, Ash Barty, and Iga Swiatek.
With seven straight wins Down Under, six straight third-round appearances, and a perfect 7-0 in second rounds, the two-time champion is primed for another deep run.
Elina Svitolina maintained her 2026 hot streak, toppling Linda Klimovicova 7-5, 6-1 to set up a clash with Diana Shnaider. Shnaider survived two match points to edge Australian wildcard Talia Gibson 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Sabalenka and Svitolina’s strides have electrified the women’s draw, priming fans for high-stakes third-round drama that could define Grand Slam contenders.