Sabalenka emulates Serena in charge to Open quarters

In the process, the 26-year-old became the youngest player to win 18 consecutive grand slam matches on hard court since Williams from 2002 to 2004, having also claimed last year's US Open title.

Andreeva, 17, was supposed to be the back-to-back champion's first big test this campaign, having shocked the Belarusian in three sets at Roland Garros last year.

Instead, the 14th seed proved mere cannon fodder as the powerful top seed blasted her off the court.

"Always tough matches against Mirra," Sabalenka said.

"She's so young but so mature and playing such great tennis. It's always tough battles against her.

"I'm super happy of course to get through this difficult match in straight sets."

Sabalenka admitted she'd struggled with the conditions on previous days but Sunday's heat had suited her.

"Today I came out on the court, I'd been trying to put the ball back and the ball was flying like a rocket," she said.

"I'm super happy with the level today. I hope the conditions help me. I hope it's gonna be the same till the end of the tournament and will help me the same way."

Hard-court specialist Sabalenka is attempting to win her third Melbourne Park title on the bounce, and would the first player since Martina Hingis between 1997-1999 to achieve that feat.

Based on her current form, which also included blitzing the field at the Brisbane International, stopping her would take a master class.

Andreeva looked shellshocked as Sabalenka raced away to claim the first set in just 24 minutes, dropping just nine points.

Power � finesse � Sabalenka— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • @SabalenkaA • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/x5evl2UL6gJanuary 19, 2025

The young Russian at least held her first service game of the second set, but was broken in her second.

While Sabalenka had some testing moments on serve, she never lost control of the contest, wrapping up the second set in 38 minutes.

Sabalenka will next play either Croatian 18th seed Donna Vekic or another Russian in 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who play at John Cain Arena later on day eight.

Sabalenka was due to be followed on Rod Laver Arena by third seed and fellow contender Coco Gauff, who was taking on Belinda Bencic.

The winner of that match will play either Spanish 11th seed Paula Badosa or unseeded Serb Olga Danilovic, who face off on Margaret Court Arena.