MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – TikTok influencer and top-ranked tennis player Aryna Sabalenka is making her way through a field of rising teenage stars in her quest for a third Australian Open title in just four years. Sabalenka faced 19-year-old Vicky Mboko on Sunday at Rod Laver Arena, where she secured a victory with a score of 6-1, 7-6 (1), advancing her to the quarterfinals against 18-year-old Iva Jovic.

In a stunning match at John Cain Arena, the so-called People's Court, the 29-seed Jovic overwhelmed her opponent Yulia Putintseva, winning decisively with a score of 6-0, 6-1 in just 53 minutes. This match marked Jovic’s first appearance in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam event. The young American has been receiving guidance from 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic throughout the tournament, who expressed enthusiasm about mentoring an up-and-coming star with Serbian roots.

Jovic had previously made it clear that she was eager for a chance to compete against the World No. 1, and now that opportunity is at hand. Sabalenka, who has playfully hinted at waiting for an official invitation to join Djokovic in mixed doubles, showcased her prowess during her match against Mboko. She cruised through the first set in just 31 minutes but faced challenges in the second set.

Despite leading the second set 4-1 and having opportunities to close out the match with three match points at 5-4, Sabalenka encountered a tenacious Mboko, who was able to shift the momentum in her favor and force a tiebreaker. However, Sabalenka dominated the tiebreaker, notching her 20th consecutive tiebreak victory.

“I try not to think this is a tiebreak and play point by point,” Sabalenka explained after the match, noting that this approach contributes to her consistency. She emphasized the challenges of playing in the morning conditions at Melbourne Park, pointing out the issues caused by shadows and bright sunlight that impacted her serving game at times.

“Don’t get me wrong, I like to play the first match, but the tricky part is that at some point, the sun goes right into your serve point,” Sabalenka stated, acknowledging that this played a role in the two breaks she conceded during the match. “She did an incredible job serving on that side.”

In a later match on Rod Laver Arena, top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz took on No. 19 Tommy Paul for a spot in the quarterfinals, with Alcaraz aiming to complete a career Grand Slam in Australia. Additionally, third seeds Alexander Zverev and Coco Gauff also competed later in the day for their chances to advance to the quarterfinals.

This year's Australian Open has been a showcase of emerging talent, with players like Sabalenka and Jovic taking center stage. As Sabalenka continues her quest for another title, fans eagerly anticipate her upcoming match against the promising Jovic.