Australian Open: Hong Kong champs Mboko, Bublik make history; Alcaraz, Gauff win
Latest winners in city get to fourth round while men’s top seed steps up bid for maiden Melbourne title with win in 100th grand slam match
The 19-year-old came through a gripping battle with Denmark’s Clara Tauson 7-6, 5-7, 6-3 on Friday to make the last 16 on her Australian Open debut.
It set up a blockbuster showdown on Sunday with world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka – who beat Russian-born Anastasia Potapova of Austria 7-6, 7-6 in just over two nervy hours – for a place in the quarter-finals.
The 10th seed and French Open quarter-finalist will face Australian sixth seed Alex de Minaur, who underlined his credentials as the leading home hope by securing a 6-3, 6-4, 7-5 win over Frances Tiafoe to reach the fourth round for a fifth successive year.
The sixth seed’s efficient victory over the American 29th seed ensured he became only the second Australian man in the professional era to go on such a streak after John Newcombe, who reached the last 16 at the tournament from 1969 to 1976.