NEW DELHI: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka delivered yet another statement performance at the Australian Open on Sunday, adding a historic milestone to her growing list of achievements. The Belarusian star continued her incredible dominance in tiebreak situations, breaking a Grand Slam record that had previously belonged to tennis great Novak Djokovic.
Sabalenka’s composure under pressure has become one of her most dangerous weapons, and she showcased it again in her Round of 16 clash. By winning another tiebreak during her match, she secured her 20th consecutive tiebreak victory at Grand Slam tournaments — a new Open Era record. The mark moves her past Djokovic’s previous streak of 19, placing her alone at the top of the list.
The achievement immediately sparked reaction across the tennis world, and Djokovic himself was quick to respond. Known for his competitive fire but also his sense of humour, the Serbian legend acknowledged the record-breaking moment with a playful post on X.
“I’m upset right now,” Djokovic wrote, jokingly expressing frustration at being dethroned from a record he had held. The comment, though light-hearted, underlined the importance of the feat and served as a public nod of respect to Sabalenka’s consistency in the most tense moments of matches.
Sabalenka’s record-breaking tiebreak win came during her straight-sets victory over Canada’s Victoria Mboko, where she sealed the match 6-1, 7-6 (1). While the scoreline suggested a routine win, the match still demanded focus, especially as Mboko pushed the second set into a tiebreak despite being outplayed early.
Sabalenka started the contest in commanding fashion, overwhelming her opponent with heavy groundstrokes, sharp angles, and relentless pace. Her serving also proved decisive, allowing her to control points from the very beginning. The first set was one-sided, with the top seed barely giving Mboko room to settle or build rhythm.
The second set, however, offered a glimpse of Mboko’s fighting spirit. The 19-year-old, seeded No. 17, refused to fade quietly and raised her intensity as the match progressed. She attempted to counter Sabalenka’s aggression by taking the ball early and forcing longer rallies, hoping to disrupt the world No. 1’s timing.
But even when the pressure increased, Sabalenka remained calm. As the set reached a tiebreak, the Belarusian once again showed why she is currently one of the toughest players to beat in high-stakes moments. She dominated the breaker 7-1, extending her historic streak and closing the match in style.
Sabalenka’s ability to consistently win tiebreaks at the sport’s biggest events speaks volumes about her mentality. Tiebreaks often separate champions from challengers, and her record suggests she thrives when the margins become razor-thin. It is also a reflection of her powerful serve, fearless baseline hitting, and confidence to take control when points matter most.
With her quarterfinal spot secured, Sabalenka continues her pursuit of another Australian Open title, carrying both momentum and history on her side. As her name climbs further into the record books, Djokovic’s playful reaction only added to the spotlight, turning a statistical milestone into one of the tournament’s most talked-about moments.