ARYNA WON'T FUMBLE AS SEEDS TUMBLE

Sabalenka not complacent as she feels field remains competitive even as big names exit

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Aryna Sabalenka insisted that early exits by big names at the Australian Open would not make her title defence any easier, after the top seed saw one of her main title rivals go out in the second round with Zheng Qinwen's defeat by world No. 97 Laura Siegemund.

The Belarusian sealed a battling 6-3, 7-5 victory over Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Jan 15, shortly before fifth seed Zheng - who lost to Sabalenka in the 2024 final - crashed out 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.

Zheng's exit leaves Sabalenka with one fewer seed to worry about, but the three-time Grand Slam champion said it made little difference in such a competitive field.

"Listen, it's a Slam, you know?" the 26-year-old said.

"As you can see, there are so many (other) players who are playing really well in these conditions. It's not like if they're (the seeds) gone, it's easy for me. No, it's not.

"I have to go there, I have to compete, I have to fight. Today's match proved that. Girls can go there and just play without any fear, without anything to lose. They can put you in really uncomfortable positions."

She was feeling the pressure and trailed 5-2 at one point in the second set against Bouzas Maneiro, who stunned Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in the opening round at the All England Club last season.