Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka extended her Australian Open winning streak with a straight-sets win over Denmark’s Clara Towson.

Sabalenka defeated Towson 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 in two hours and six minutes at Rod Laver Arena to secure Melbourne’s 17th consecutive victory and seal a fourth-round spot.

The 26-year-old had more winners and fewer unforced errors in this match than Towson, including a total of 11 breaks in each of the first seven games. .

The Belarusian player failed to occupy four set points in the first set at 5-6, but eventually won in the tie-break.

Towson, who has never reached the last 16 of a major and is ranked 42nd in the world, lost her serve early in the second set and then tied it before Sabalenka won the final two games. 4-4 flat.

“She puts pressure on me,” Sabalenka said. “She also plays very good tennis under pressure. Her level is very high.

“If she’s going to keep working, improving herself, playing the way she’s playing today, of course, she’s going to be there (at the highest level).”

Sabalenka will face No. 14 seed Mira Andreeva in the next round, who defeated Poland’s Magdalena Freci 6-2 1-6 6-2.

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