Australian Open 2026 Women’s Day 4

Aryna Sabalenka had more trouble than expected with a 702-ranked qualifier with the Australian Open top seed overcoming a first-set rough patch on the way to a 6-3, 6-1 defeat of Bai Zhuo on Wednesday.

The Chinese qualifier fought back briefly in the opening set as she moved from 0-5 to 3-5 before the two-time tournament champion claimed the opener.

In the second, Sabalenka established a 5-1 margin and broke a game later for victory on the first of three match points.

“I feel great, very happy to get this win,” Sabalenka said. “She’s a tricky opponent who stepped in during the first set.”

The winner said she had to work her way to the third round against the unfancied outsider.

“She didn’t start well, but then she had the strength to step in and to change couple of things and put me under pressure. That was really impressive.

“The whole match, it seemed like she wouldn’t really care about the score. She would just try to find something that’s gonna help her to win.”

Third seed Coco Gauff, a semi-finalist here two years ago, defeated

Serb Olga Danilovic 6-2, 6-2 to next face American compatriot Hailey Baptiste, a winner over Australian Storm Hunter 6-2, 6-1.

“I felt pretty good out there, it was a pretty straightforward win. Olga is a
tricky player, but I’m just happy with how I managed today.”

Weekend Adelaide finalist Victoria Mboko swept the final three games from 0-3- down as she overcame Caty McNally 6-4, 6-3 to continue a winning debut at the tournament.

Emma Raducanu lost here in the second round for the fourth time in five appearances. a 7-6 (3), 6-2 victim of new Austrian Anastasia Potapova.

The Brit who won the US Open as a qualifier five years ago has played 13 Grand Slam since that miracle and only reached the fourth round once.

 “It was a very difficult match with the (windy) conditions in the first set. I

thought it was tricky trying to get used to how lively it felt.

“The wind was pretty strong from one side, so just not something that I felt
comfortable with.

“It was just one of those days you don’t feel too good on the court.”

The disappointed 28th seed said she would take some days off to analyse the state of a once-promising career blighted by seasons of injuries and subsequent upheavals in the form of serial coaching changes.