Sabalenka continues undefeated streak on comeback tour

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No.5 Sabalenka takes women’s singles crown in heavily contested matchup

The women’s singles bracket also had notable absentee players such as two-time champions Naomi Osaka and Venus Williams. With their absences, a few players appeared to be favorites to win the tournament, including Poland’s no. 1 Iga Swiatek and France’s no. 4 Caroline Garcia. Coming off of strong tournament play in the 2022 U.S. and French Opens, they both sought to make their mark in the first Grand Slam of 2023.

A few Americans looked poised to take the women’s singles crown as well. This was the first Australian

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Open since 1997 without seven-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams. Favorites included 18-yearold Coco Gauff and no. 3 Jessica Pegula who showed promise when she defeated a few Grand Slam champions en route to her victory at the 2022 Guadalajara Open.

The fourth round saw a notable victory after no. 22 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan upset Swiatek in a two-set victory 6-4, 6-4. Though Rybakina won Wimbledon in 2022, Swiatetek had a commanding year as well, winning both the U.S. Open and French Open.

Aryna Sabalenka, who was one of the best servers in 2021, became one of the worst in 2022 with 428 double faults and resorted to the greater use of an underhand. Going up against a