Press releases

MINSK, 10 January (BelTA) – Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus has clinched her second victory in the women’s singles event of the Hobart International in Australia, BelTA has learned.

The Belarusian world number 69 battled through world number 35 Zhang Shuai of China 7-5 (7-3), 6-4 to reach the quarterfinal. Aryna Sabalenka will now face Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine, ranked 43^rd for a semifinal berth. In the doubles event opener, Aryna Sabalenka and Russia’s Veronika Kudermetova defeated the Russian-Swiss tandem of Natela Dzalamidze and Xenia Knoll 6-1, 5-7, 10-6. In the quarterfinal Sobolenko and Kudermetova will face the Romanian-Ukrainian duet of Raluca Olaru and Olga Savchuk.

The Australian Open qualifying stage has kicked off in Melbourne. In the men’s singles event both Belarusian players lost their openers. Vladimir Ignatik (world No.145) was beaten by U.S. world number 202 Kevin King 6-7 (2-7), 2-6. Ilya Ivashko (210) lost in a close battle to Dennis Novak of Austria (223) 4-6, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7).

Vera Lapko (135) will have to qualify for the Australian Open main draw. Two more Belarusian players, Aliaksandra Sasnovich (53) and Aryna Sabalenka (60) will start the Australian Open run from the main draw.

A player needs to go through three qualifying games in order to join 128 participants playing in the main draw.