• Aryna Sabalenka secured her spot in the fourth round of the Australian Open after defeating Clara Tauson 7-6(5), 6-4.
• Both players struggled with their serves, leading to multiple breaks during the match.
• Naomi Osaka retired from her match against Belinda Bencic due to an aging abdominal injury.
• Sabalenka is eyeing a third consecutive title at the Australian Open, a feat accomplished last by Martina Hingis.
• Conditions were challenging due to heat and wind, impacting the players' performances on the court.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP/Reuters/The Guardian) — Aryna Sabalenka overcame a shaky start to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open, defeating Clara Tauson in a match that showcased her resilience. Sabalenka edged past Tauson with a scoreline of 7-6(5), 6-4, though the match was characterized by a series of breaks and wobbly serves from both players.

Throughout the encounter, the world number one exhibited signs of vulnerability, dropping her serve multiple times. "It was really important to get all of those breaks back. It could have gone either way," remarked Sabalenka, reflecting on the challenging situation she faced on the court under the bright sunshine and blustery conditions. She noted, "Conditions are really tough for serving; the balls are heavy and the surface slow," which played a significant role in the up-and-down performance from both competitors.

Sabalenka's win marks her 17th consecutive victory at the Australian Open, allowing her to keep alive her quest to become the first woman since Martina Hingis to win three titles in a row at the tournament. She showed determination, stating, "I kept pushing through, and I'm super happy to have closed out this match."

In a separate yet poignant note during the same day, two-time champion Naomi Osaka was forced to retire from her third-round match against Belinda Bencic due to an abdominal issue. After winning the first set in a tie-break, Osaka struggled to maintain her strength, ultimately resulting in her withdrawal. Bencic expressed her empathy towards Osaka, saying, "I really feel for Naomi... it's not the way you would like this match to end," as the Swiss player advanced to the last 16 [Reuters](http://reuters.com/sports/tennis/sabalenka-through-fourth-round-australian-open-after-tough-battle-2025-01-17/).

Sabalenka's journey continues as she looks forward to an upcoming clash with Mirra Andreeva, who progressed past Magdalena Frech in another match on the same day. [AP News](https://apnews.com/article/australian-open-1-17-2025-live-updates-e0c2fb67e8ef9fc4cbcb6b5b6e395680) and [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jan/17/australian-open-womens-singles-naomi-osaka-belinda-bencic-aryna-sabalenka-coco-gauff-leylah-fernandez) provided further coverage of the event and insights into the evolving narrative of this year’s tournament.