Sabalenka sets tie-break record to qualify for quarterfinal

Aryna Sabalenka broke Novak Djokovic's Open era record of consecutivetie-breaks won at Grand Slams to defeat teenage Canadian Victoria Mboko and setup a mouth-watering Australian Open quarter-final against another of tennis' rising stars - 18-year-old Iva Jovic

The two-time champion won 6-1 7-6 (7-1) on Rod Laver Arena - sealing it with her 20th tie-break triumph in a row - and is yet to drop a set at this year's Australian Open.

Belarusian Sabalenka has now reached at least the quarter-finals in 13 consecutive Grand Slam appearances and is two wins away from a fourth successive final in Melbourne.

The champion in 2023 and 2024, Sabalenka lost last year's final to American Madison Keys. The 27-year-old appeared to be cruising towards a comfortable victory against 17th seed Mboko, leading by a set and a double break. However, she almost let a 4-1 lead slip in the second set and eventually clinched victory in a tie-break.