Sabalenka overpowers China's Bai in Australian Open 2nd round

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus hits a return during the women's singles 2nd round match against Bai Zhuoxuan of China at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

MELBOURNE, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese qualifier Bai Zhuoxuan fought hard before being overpowered by world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to crash out of the Australian Open second round on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old Bai won three straight games late in the first set after Sabalenka opened with five games in 14 minutes, but the top seed closed out the set and then took control in the second to wrap up the match in one hour and 16 minutes.

"I feel great, happy to get the win against a tricky opponent," said four-time grand slam champion Sabalenka.

Kick-starting second-round action on Rod Laver Arena, Bai faced a daunting challenge in just her second match against a top-10 player at a Grand Slam.

Bai had arrived with confidence after four straight victories in Melbourne, including a first-round win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three sets.

After a win over Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah in the opening round, Sabalenka was sharper on Wednesday and quickly built her early lead. Bai finally got on the board with a hold in the sixth game and then broke serve, before holding again to narrow the gap to 5-3.

Sabalenka ended the comeback attempt and took the first set on her seventh set point. She then moved through the second set without trouble and will next play 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu or Anastasia Potapova.

Bai Zhuoxuan of China hits a return during the women's singles 2nd round match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus serves during the women's singles 2nd round match against Bai Zhuoxuan of China at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus competes during the women's singles 2nd round match against Bai Zhuoxuan of China at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 21, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Bai Zhuoxuan of China reacts during the women's singles 2nd round match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 21, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Bai Zhuoxuan (front) of China serves during the women's singles 2nd round match against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus takes a break during the women's singles 2nd round match against Bai Zhuoxuan of China at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 21, 2026. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reacts during the women's singles 2nd round match against Bai Zhuoxuan of China at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)