In a tougher-than-expected match, Aryna Sabalenka beat Clara Tauson 7-6 (5), 6-4 in a poor serving display by both players to open the sixth day of play on Rod Laver Arena.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka navigated challenges to reach the Australian Open fourth round, while Carlos Alcaraz advanced despite a set loss. Coco Gauff secured a victory, and Naomi Osaka withdrew due to injury.

By Shrivathsa Sridhar MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka overcame a wobbly display to reach the Australian Open fourth round while Carlos Alcaraz was at his dazzling best despite a blip as warm and windy weather tested the composure of players on Friday.

Naomi Osaka, a two-time champion in Australia, stopped playing because of a strained abdominal muscle after dropping the first set of her match against Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Belinda Bencic.

Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are some of the prominent players who will be in action on the sixth day in Melbourne.

Melbourne: Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz can set up a blockbuster quarter-final when the Australian Open enters the fourth round on Sunday while Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are also eyeing

Australian Open: Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka was pushed to the limit while Carlos Alcaraz ... while Carlos Alcaraz dropped a set before surging into the last 16. Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka hits a return against Denmark's Clara Tauson during their ...

Men's winners in third-round action included No. 2 Alexander Zverev, No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz ... the tournament to 17 matches by eliminating Clara Tauson 7-6 (5), 6-4 on Friday.

A "very hot-headed" Novak Djokovic produced a vintage display to join Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander ... faltering serve before beating Denmark's Clara Tauson in the third round on Rod Laver Arena.

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz can set up a blockbuster ... Sabalenka said she had to "push to the limit" to beat Denmark's Clara Tauson 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 in the third round and will have to ...

MELBOURNE, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka overcame a wobbly display to reach the Australian Open fourth round while Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz were at their dazzling ...

Welcome back to the Monday Tennis Briefing, where will explain the stories behind the stories from the past week on court. This week, the Australian Open came to a close in Melbourne. Madison Keys claimed the women’s singles title with a win over Aryna Sabalenka,