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.

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.

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.

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka was pushed to the limit while Carlos Alcaraz dropped a set before surging into the last 16.

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

33-year-old Pavlyuchenkova did well to reach the QFs of the Australian Open this year and equalized with Sabalenka at the end of the second set. However, she was unable to upset the Belarusian, who is eyeing a hattrick of AO title wins this year.

It wasn’t often pretty, but two-time defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has extended a few impressive streaks while becoming one of the first players to advance to the fourth round of

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 ...

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.

The Belarusian will next face Spain’s world number 12 Paula Badosa that outplayed World No.3 Coco Gauff of the United States, 7-5, 6-4.