World number one Aryna Sabalenka sent another clear warning to the field on Sunday, January 25,  after storming into the Australian Open quarterfinals with a straight-sets win over 17th seed Victoria Mboko. The four-time Grand Slam champion showcased her firepower in a 6-1, 7-6 (1) victory at Rod Laver Arena.

Sabalenka finished the match in one hour and 26 minutes, unloading 31 winners to overwhelm her teenage opponent. The dominant display underlined her growing momentum as the tournament enters its decisive stretch.

The Belarusian is chasing a third Australian Open crown, and her performance suggested she is peaking at the right time. Cooler conditions on day eight offered a contrast to the oppressive heat earlier in the tournament, but did little to slow her charge.

Sabalenka overwhelms early

Mboko, widely tipped as a future star, arrived in the fourth round after reaching the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time in her career. The 19-year-old Canadian showed flashes of promise but struggled to contain Sabalenka’s relentless power.

The world No. 1 raced through the opening set, dictating rallies and forcing errors from every corner of the court. Mboko found herself under constant pressure as Sabalenka controlled the tempo from the baseline.

Sabalenka acknowledged the challenge afterward, crediting her opponent for pushing her despite the scoreline. The top seed emphasized her satisfaction at navigating the match efficiently and moving another step deeper into the tournament.

Closing it out in control

The second set briefly threatened to extend the contest when Sabalenka was unable to close it out in the 10th game. Mboko showed resilience, holding firm and forcing a tiebreak as the crowd sensed a shift.

Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished, however, as Sabalenka elevated her level once more. She dominated the tiebreak to seal victory and confirm her place in the quarterfinals.

Sabalenka will next face 29th seed Iva Jovic of the United States in the last eight. With her confidence rising, the world No. 1 continues to look like the player to beat in Melbourne.