Aryna Sabalenka continued her perfect run through the Australian Open by defeating Victoria Mboko in straight sets.
The world number one is yet to drop a set in her matches against Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah, Zhuoxuan Bai, Anastasia Potapova, and now Mboko.
Sabalenka’s new ‘unpredictable’ tactics at the Australian Open have worked wonders so far as she looks to bag her third Grand Slam in Melbourne.
The star won her 20th consecutive tie-break during her match with Mboko, which broke Novak Djokovic’s record, and the Serbian responded instantly on social media.
Novak Djokovic jokes he’s ‘upset’ at Aryna Sabalenka stealing his record
Sabalenka took the first set convincingly by a 6-1 scoreline against Mboko, but needed a tie-break in the second set.
The world number one has been supreme in tie-breaks and she dropped just one point against Mboko to take the second set and the match.
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Sabalenka’s 20 consecutive tie-break wins ensured she went above Djokovic, who she previously shared the record with.
After spotting the historic moment on social media, Djokovic posted: “I’m upset right now” with an angry emoji and a tiger, which is synonymous with Sabalenka.
Djokovic and Sabalenka are firm friends and can often be spotted socialising away from the tennis court, where they normally dominate.
Both stars have already confirmed their place in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, after Djokovic was given a walkover against Jakub Mensik.
Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic’s relationship explained
Sabalenka and Djokovic have long been full of praise for each other, and the women’s world number one has often sought out advice from the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
The star opened up about a conversation she had with Djokovic before the 2025 US Open final, which saw her defeat Amanda Anisimova to lift the trophy.
While the details of the conversation were not revealed, Sabalenka said it inspired her to win the Grand Slam.
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“So we talked for an hour probably, but with Novak you always can spend more than that talking and asking for advice,” said Sabalenka.
“And then later on, going to the US Open final, I remembered what he said, what he told me, and I think it helped me to get the title.”
Sabalenka will play Iva Jovic in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, while Djokovic will play the winner of Lorenzo Musetti and Taylor Fritz.
