© Getty Images Sport – Phil Walter
Defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has emulated a Serena Williams feat, becoming the first player since the American tennis icon to win 11 consecutive matches at Melbourne Park.
Sabalenka, 25, won seven matches at Melbourne Park last year to win her first Grand Slam title. So far in her return to the Australian Open as the defending champion, Sabalenka has had four straight-set wins so far.
On Sunday, No. 2 seed Sabalenka crushed Amanda Anisimova 6-3 6-2 to reach the Australian Open quarterfinal. Now, Sabalenka has won her last 11 matches played at Melbourne Park, dating from last year.
The last player to win 11 consecutive matches at the Australian Open was Williams, who achieved the feat between 2017 and 2019. After winning her 23rd Australian Open title in 2017, Williams didn’t defend her title the following year but made the quarterfinal in her return to Melbourne Park in 2019.
11 – Aryna Sabalenka is the first player to win 11+ consecutive matches at the Australian Open since Serena Williams (11 between 2017 and 2019). Household.#AusOpen | @AustralianOpen @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/FMoOGsl3fb
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 21,…
