Ruthless Djokovic, Sabalenka enter Australian Open quarters

Former world number one Karolina Pliskova defeated China’s Zhang Shuai 6-0, 6-4.

Sabalenka never really looked like she would knock out top seed Iga Swiatek, Garcia and the rest in the first major of the year.

Belarusian Sabalenka and third-seeded American Jessica Pegula – both chasing a major major crown – are now the women to beat.

Sabalenka beat formidable 12th seed Belinda Bencic 7-5, 6-2 to set up a last-eight clash against unseeded Donna Vekic, who defeated 17-year-old Linda Fruhvirtova in three sets.

The hard-hitting Sabalenka entered her first quarterfinal at the Australian Open and said, “My whole life, it took me a while to understand that negative emotion won’t help you on the court.

“You just have to stay strong and believe no matter what, and then do everything you can.”

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