“They play good, I have to be better”: Aryna Sabalenka forgives AO crowd for supporting opponent after 16th straight win Down Under

Aryna Sabalenka has largely had things all her own way in Melbourne for the last two years, which means the Australian Open crowd can be forgiven for wanting a little drama in her second round, right?

Sabalenka lightly chided fans for cheering on opponent Jessica Bouzas Maneiro but the world No. 1 got the final round of applause after picking up a 16th straight match win Down Under.

“I forgive you. Make sure next time you come out and cheer for me!” she told Laura Robson on Rod Laver Arena after the 6-3, 7-5 victory.

The two-time defending champion trailed Bouzas Maneiro 2-5 in the second set; undaunted by the challenge of an inspired opposition, she reeled off the final five games to reach the third round of a fifth straight Australian Open.

“I love that they play good,” she insisted. “I have to play better. This is the way I improve my game. I love it.”

Despite feeling like the underdog at times against her Spanish rival, Sabalenka has become a fan favorite in Melbourne thanks to her on-court instincts and off-court exuberance.

“I want people to know that I’m not that crazy off the court,” laughed the bourgeoning Tik Tok star. “That’s only on-court Aryna. Off the court, I have to say I’m a nice person. I’m not sure my team will agree with that but I’m nice, I promise!”

Sabalenka will look to keep the good times going against another streaking player in Clara Tauson, who is coming off a WTA title run at the ASB Classic in Auckland. The former Australian Open junior champion backed up an impressive win over No. 29 seed Linda Noskova with an even more emphatic victory against former Wimbledon semifinalist Tatjana Maria.