Brisbane, Jan 2 (NationPress) World No.1 and top seed Aryna Sabalenka displayed her signature power and resilience in a challenging third-round match, defeating No.15 seed Yulia Putintseva 7-6(2), 6-4 in just under two hours at the Brisbane International WTA event.

Sabalenka came into the match as the clear favorite but quickly found herself under pressure from Putintseva's tactical variety and defensive skills. The Kazakhstan player’s agility and court awareness disrupted Sabalenka’s rhythm, allowing her to establish a 5-3 lead.

A standout moment for Putintseva was a remarkable point where she consistently found the lines while on the run, receiving enthusiastic applause from the Brisbane audience. The World No.29’s ability to mix her shots and read Sabalenka’s powerful game kept the Belarusian under relentless pressure.

Nevertheless, Sabalenka’s mental strength emerged during crucial moments. Trailing 5-3 and facing set point on four occasions, she adeptly shortened rallies with precise power, counteracting Putintseva’s variety. Although Sabalenka missed her first set point at 6-5, she ramped up her game in the tiebreak, showcasing her signature power to dominate 7-2 and gain the upper hand.

Buoyed by the confidence from the first set, Sabalenka broke Putintseva right away in the second set with a fierce forehand winner. This game proved vital. While Putintseva continued to battle, pressing Sabalenka to 30-30 three times, she couldn't convert any break-point chances.

Sabalenka’s serving improved as the match went on, with her forehand and backhand consistently landing on the lines. She clinched victory in style, delivering a powerful backhand down the line to finish the match in 1 hour and 49 minutes.

With this victory, Sabalenka enhanced her head-to-head record against Putintseva to 2-1, adding another chapter to their competitive rivalry. She now faces a thrilling quarterfinal showdown with Marie Bouzkova, who has been in exceptional form this week. Bouzkova, unseeded in Brisbane, upset No.10 seed and two-time champion Victoria Azarenka in straight sets, following her second-round win over No.5 seed Jelena Ostapenko.

The matchup between Sabalenka and Bouzkova is currently tied at one win each, with Bouzkova winning their most recent meeting at the Washington Open semifinals last July, where she triumphed 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Bouzkova’s patient baseline play and counterpunching skills have previously posed challenges for Sabalenka, making this encounter another potential thriller.