Sabalenka’s best effort at the AO had been the round of sixteen last year.
Sanders had nine previous AO main draw appearances and made the second round twice, including last year.
Sabalenka won the only previous meeting between the pair, a 2016 semi final in an ITF 25k event in Perth.
Sabalenka served first and began with an ace. Sanders replied with a pair of backhand winners. A double fault provided the first break chance.
Serve was dropped after a long Sabalenka forehand.
A Sanders double fault gave Sabalenka a break back opportunity, and it was confirmed when Sanders hit the net. 1-1.
Double faults and a Sanders winner gave the Australian two break points; a third double fault for the game produced another break.
Sanders this time consolidated the break and led 3-1.
Two Sanders winners and a Sabalenka error created two break points on the Sabalenka serve. A forehand return winner forced another break and Sanders led 4-1.
Two successive double faults from Sanders returned one of the breaks to Sabalenka. The second seed then finally held serve and was close at 3-4.
Sanders saved a break point on the way to holding serve and leading 5-3.
A Sabalenka love game, and then Sanders served at 5-4 for the set. 3 winners, two from Sabalenka, and 15-30. A double fault and two break points.
A forehand winner saved one, but serve was dropped on the second. 5-5.
A double fault and a couple of forehand errors, and three break points for Sanders. Two saved, but a double fault gifted the break.
Sanders a second chance to serve for the set.
With her first set point Sanders was able to clinch the set 7-5.
Set two began with Sabalenka serving. It was a much better look than the first set beginning. 1-0.
A love game from Sanders very impressive. 1-1.
Two double faults and a Sanders backhand winner created three break points. The second of these was converted when Sabalenka hit the net.
Sanders led 2-1.
Sabalenka saved a break point in the fifth game and held for 2–3.
With her second break back opportunity, Sabalenka converted, and levelled at 3-3.
Seventh game - Sanders forced a forehand error and earned a break point. Saved. Double fault and a second break chance. Ace fixed that.
Sabalenka held and took the lead 4-3.
Two winners in the next game helped Sabalenka to break points. One was saved, but a double fault gave Sabalenka the chance at 5-3 to serve out the set.
At 40-0, a double fault and error delayed what eventually happened - the set to Sabalenka 6-3.
Set three began with Sabalenka winning the opening four games, including two breaks of the Sanders serve.
The chances for the Australian in set two were many but wasted, and the match was effectively gone from her grasp.
Sabalenka cruised to a 6-2 set win and took the match 5-7 6-3 6-2.
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