Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka continued her winning streak at the Australian Open by beating Denmark's Clara Tauson in straight sets.
Sabalenka cruised past Towson 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 in two hours and six minutes at Rod Laver Arena to claim her 17th straight win in Melbourne to book a place in the fourth round.
The 26-year-old emerged with more winners and fewer unforced errors than Towson in a match that featured 11 service breaks, including in each of the first seven games.
The Belarusian failed to take advantage of four set points at 5-6 in the first set, but eventually won the tiebreak.
Towson, who has never reached her 16th Grand Slam final and is ranked 42nd in the world, lost her serve early in the second set and then broke back at 4-4 before Sabalenka took the final two games.
“She executed me under pressure,” Sabalenka said. “She played great tennis under pressure, too. That was a great level from her.
“If she continues to work, to improve, to play the way she played today, of course she will be there (at the highest level).”
In the next round, Sabalenka will face 14th-seeded teenager Mirra Andreeva, who defeated Poland's Magdalena Frech 6-2 1-6 6-2.
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