MELBOURNE , Australia (AFP) — Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner emphatically stated their Australian Open title credentials on Friday, pummeling their third-round opponents as a below-par Novak Djokovic prepared for another testing examination.
Belarusian defending champion Sabalenka was unstoppable in a 6-0, 6-0 romp over 28th seed Lesia Tsurenko while Sinner dropped just four games in crushing Sebastian Baez, ranked 29.
In other early action on Day 6 at Melbourne Park, rejuvenated former teen prodigy Amanda Anisimova ended Paula Badosa’s injury comeback 7-5, 6-4.
Anisimova, returning from eight months on the sidelines due to burnout and mental health issues, faces Sabalenka next and will have to lift her level to stand any chance.
The second seed, who won her maiden Grand Slam crown in Melbourne last year, has dropped just six games over three dominant matches so far.
Wearing vivid red, she was in the zone against Ukraine’s Tsurenko on Rod Laver Arena, cantering home in just 52 minutes.
“Last year (world No. 1) Iga (Swiatek) won so many sets 6-0 and this is one of the goals,” she said. “I’m trying to get closer to her.”
“I’m super happy with the level I’m playing at so far and hopefully I can keep going like that or even better.”
Anisimova, who reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros and won her first WTA title aged 17, sparking sky-high expectations, surprised even herself in beating former world No. 2 Badosa.
“It’s quite unbelievable after taking some time off, but I’m really feeling good,” said the American, who is now aged 22.
“The most important thing is I’m enjoying my time out here.”
Fourth seed Sinner came into the opening Grand Slam of the year after ending 2023 in the best form of his life.
He won his first Masters title in Toronto and reached the championship match at the ATP Finals, beating Djokovic in group play, before leading Italy to the Davis Cup title.
So far, he has lived up to expectations and is yet to drop a set, unlike the trio of players ahead of him in the rankings — defending champion Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev.
“Generally, I’m playing really well and feeling great here,” said Sinner, who will next play Russian 15th seed Karen Khachanov.
“I’m just happy with how I’m feeling right now.”
Ten-time champion Djokovic has not been at his best so far, admitting he has been under the weather.
His bid for record-breaking 25th Grand Slam crown will resume in the evening against in-form Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who ended Andy Murray’s tournament before ousting Gael Monfils.
“His results are really impressive, he’s obviously playing maybe the tennis of his life on the hard court,” Djokovic said of the 30th seed.
“I have to be very, very prepared and ready for that.”
Mirra Andreeva, just 16, is also in action after stunning sixth seed Ons Jabeur for the loss of just two games to make the third round, where she faces France’s unseeded Diane Parry, herself only 21.
Ranked 47, Andreeva burst onto the scene when she reached the fourth round at Wimbledon last year as a qualifier and will be attempting to match that accomplishment on Friday.
Another young Russian, Maria Timofeeva, is back on court after upsetting former champion Caroline Wozniacki and will meet Brazilian 10th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia.
