MELBOURNE, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan saved a match point in a dramatic third set tiebreak on Sunday before edging Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to reach the second round of the Australian Open.

Photo: IC

The 23-year-old prevailed 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (12-10) in two hours and 43 minutes at Kia Arena in a grueling match that featured relentless baseline rallies.

It was only Bai's second victory at a grand slam after beating Ysaline Bonaventure at Wimbledon in 2023.

She will next play world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.

"My body is a little bit tired," said Bai, who won three matches in the qualifying draw. "[Sabalenka] is the number one, so everyone wants to play her and I will enjoy playing her at the big court."

Having impressively emerged from qualifying, Bai's confidence was justified as she claimed a see-sawing first set in 47 minutes, much to the delight of the boisterous Chinese fans in the stands.

But Pavlyuchenkova, a former world No.11, forced a deciding set, where Bai gained an early advantage with a break in the opening game.

She was unable to capitalize and needed to dig deep after being two points away from defeat on serve in the 10th and 12th games.

Bai netted on match point in the tiebreak and then agonizingly survived a missed backhand from Pavlyuchenkova, who could have clinched the match.

A composed Bai held her nerve and sealed victory with a forehand down the line before slumping to the court in disbelief.