Sabalenka Tops Bencic for Her First QF Spot in Australia

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Belinda Bencic of Switzerland in their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. (AP)

Fifth-seeded Aryna Sabalenka defeated Belinda Bencic 7-5, 6-2 on Monday to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open for the first time. Bencic double-faulted to drop the first set, which put Sabalenka in control from that point.

Top-seeded Iga Swiatek and No. 2 Ons Jabeur have both been eliminated, leaving No. 3 Jessica Pegula as the highest ranked women through to the final eight.