Sabalenka survives 💪 No.2 seed @SabalenkaA digs deep for a 1-6 6-4 6-2 comeback win over Xinyu Wang. #AusOpen · #AO2022 🎥: @wwos · @espn · @eurosport · @wowowtennis
Aryna Sabalenka avoided a major upset in her second round match against Xinyu Wang at the Australian Open, digging deep into her reserves to pull off a rollercoaster three-set victory.
The second seed played one of the worst sets in her career, but managed to right the ship and prevail with a 1-6 6-4 6-2 victory. The opening set saw Sabalenka commit a horrendous 12 double faults, dropping her first three service games to fall into a 0-5 hole. The bagel was avoided as Xinyu failed to convert when serving for the set, but was given a second opportunity as Sabalenka was unable to hold any of her service games in the first set.
Nonetheless, the Belarusian displayed the heart and tenacity that has seen her join the elite on the WTA circuit. She was quick to break Xinyu early in the second set, before finally holding her first service game of the match. After establishing a 3-1 lead, Sabalenka employed her brand of power tennis from the baseline. The World No.2 limited her double faults, allowing her to hold serve and claim the second set and force a decider.
With momentum solely on her side, the big-hitting Belarusian obtained an early break, only for her Chinese opponent to level the score at 2-2. This proved to be Xinyu's last hold, as she was under relentless attack by her higher-ranked foe. Sabalenka rolled off four consecutive games to finally close out the match, requiring an hour and 55 minutes to book her place in the third round.
The 23-year old managed to survive her encounter with Xinyu, despite hitting 19 total double faults and 43 unforced errors. To advance to the round of 16, Sabalenka must avoid the same mistakes when she faces Czech Marketa Vondrousova on Saturday.
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