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Alina Sabalenka A huge victory over Eva Jovic in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open ended the Junior Challenge.
After defeating 19-year-old Victoria Mboko in the fourth round, the world number one fell just three games behind to defeat 18-year-old American Jovich 6-3 6-0.
The scoreline was brutal for the youngster, who was competitive on points but time and time again came up short at the end of games.
Still, it was a breakthrough run for Jovic, who celebrated her birthday just last month, and will be on track to break into the top 20 for the first time next month.
“These teenagers have tested me in the last few rounds,” said Sabalenka, who has reached at least the semifinals in 12 of her past 13 Grand Slam matches.
“She’s an unbelievable player and it was a tough game – don’t look at the score, it wasn’t easy at all. I’m really happy with the win, it was a tough battle.”
With the hottest day Melbourne With temperatures forecast to reach around 45 degrees Celsius for 17 years, efficiency is crucial for Sabalenka, who has yet to drop a set.
Things might have been more complicated had she not taken the first set in a long ninth game, saving three break points and then holding on to a third set point.
After that, she never lost a game and the roof was closed Rod Laver Arena When Sabalenka gave her post-match interview, the match’s heat stress level reached the 5-point mark shortly before 1.30pm.
“It was really hot at the end of the game,” the 27-year-old said. “I’m glad they closed the roof almost half way, so we have a lot of shade in the back.”
Sabalenka added with a smile: “I think as a woman we are stronger than the men, so they have to close the roof for the men so they don’t suffer.
“I knew going into this game they weren’t going to let us play in crazy heat. If it got to the Final Five, they were definitely going to close the roof, so I know they were protecting us, our health. It didn’t matter. I’m glad I did it.”
Organizers have reworked the schedule as expected, with the wheelchair draw postponed to Wednesday and the youth competition starting at 9am.
Later youth games were scheduled for 6.30pm, with the full day’s play ending before the strictest preliminary rules were put in place, which would have resulted in games played on uncovered pitches being postponed.
The heat stress rating takes into account air temperature, radiant heat, humidity and wind speed to determine when conditions are safe for players.