Two-Time Australian Open Champ Passes One Teen for Another into Quarter-Final
Aryna Sabalenka showed her seniority over the upcoming Canadian Victoria Mboko in their first meeting, stopping her short in the fourth round of the Australian Open. Mboko, currently 19th-ranked, has blazed through her first Australian Open showing after having a breakthrough 2025, primarily on hardcourt. In an hour and 26 minutes, the first-ranked in the world fought back all attempts of a comeback, and sealed her way to the quarter-final, another step toward a third Australian Open Championship.
Game Strengths Between the Two
Sabalenka is a powerful ground hitter from both wings who uses every part of the court. Her tennis IQ has grown remarkably over the years so that her shot selection and skill match each other, and she has no issue choosing where to strike, be it crosscourt or down the alley, short or deep. A player of her level and experience doesn’t crumble under pressure points as well, not always a given, but she has that plus. She hits winners indiscriminately from both her forehand and backhand, even at tight spots, but the openness and flexibility of a forehand gives her a little edge on points.
The Belarusian has really gotten a good mastery over point efficiency across the board. Covering the court, closing on short balls, turning them into volleys or half volleys where they are needed. Her service is solid enough for points to support her strong baseline game, saving breaks, or closing out, and a few double faults. All in all, a very solid game for a big-hitting player who is perceptive of her opponent, and she is very perceptive.
Mboko is also a big hitter, only not quite to Sabalenka’s consistency or expertise. It is likely a matter of experience, and she will grow into it. Her service returns are particularly strong and sensible, putting her in the game quickly and nullifying what should be most servers’ immediate advantage. The Canadian seems to favor her backhand more, and hits some wonderful finishers from it; the only issue is that she nurses a right knee injury that greatly hampers her weight distribution. That impressive backhand helps greatly with service return, and of course, rallying, particularly when a blinding and accurate winner can flash suddenly. The 19-year-old’s service game mirrors her opponent’s, reliable enough to support her ground game and tenacity.
How Sabalenka Made the Game Hers
At the start of the match, the shots were booming, and the Belarusian had no answer for many. However, it was tit for tat, each paying the other in turn. As time went on, and more heavy rallies exchanged, Mboko couldn’t keep up, especially as she had to weather heavy shots from the other side as well, and she began showing weakness on that injured leg. One of the things that kept the Canadian on top of things was the deep shots she sent, forcing Sabalenka out of her comfort zone and often sending her sprawling. The second those stopped, Sabalenka pounced and kept the pressure endless, coming to the net and finishing. Another point killer was Mboko’s backhands, once flashing, now barely making it to the net, many of them hit off balance or unprepared. Some she struck on the run, going for insane angles, only that left her own court wide open, court space her opponent knew was defenseless with her hindered movement. She made a valiant comeback in the second set, coming back from 5-3 down, forcing a tiebreak, but in the end, Sabalenka still won 6-1, 7-6.
What Might Have Made a Difference?
Mboko played well and had strong moments, but a few things could have shifted the odds in her favor. Too many free points were lost in serve plus one moments, where she had Sabelenka sprawling after a serve and played unforced errors upon herself. She won 41% of her second-serve points and 50% of her first-serve points. Additionally, adding a defensive slice to her game could help her out greatly, both for her own injuries' sake, to bail her out when pressured, and for big hitters like Sabalenka, to slow and throw them off their rhythm. Even the Belarusian herself has been trialing it out for months. Still, the young player has done well for her first Australian Open appearance, and is currently 16 ranked in the world. Sabalenka will face another teenager next in the quarter finals, Serbian Iva Jovic, in their first meeting.
