Andreeva not scared as she stands in Sabalenka’s method | USAEMALL.com

Standing between Aryna Sabalenka and another Australian Open quarter-final, teen sensation Mirra Andreeva isn’t so scared of the world No.1 any more.

The opening match on Rod Laver Arena on Sunday kicks off a bumper start to the second week.

Sabalenka is six days and four wins away from claiming her third straight Open title and second grand slam on the bounce following victory in the US Open.

In fourth round action, she will take on 14th seed Andreeva, who beat her in three sets to reach the Roland Garros semi-finals last year.

Still just 17, Andreeva is the first to admit facing Sabalenka can be a terrifying prospect – especially on hard courts, rather than clay.

But she feels better equipped to handle the crowd favourite now – even admitting she was tired of playing Sabalenka.

“If we compare me to that very first match in Madrid, I would say that I was so scared, to be honest,” Andreeva said.

“I was so scared to hit the ball, and I was afraid of that big court and big stadium.

“There was a lot of people who are watching the match. So I was, like, a bit tight and I was, like, ‘Oh, my God, what is going on?’ So that was a bit tough.

“But, of course, now I also have more experience playing on bigger courts, and I faced her a lot of times.

“Playing her on clay court is, I would say, a bit easier. Of course, on the hard courts, like here in Melbourne, I would say that for me is one of the fastest hard courts.

“Yeah, we’re just gonna see if I can handle the pressure.

“Of course, this is not going to be easy.”

She’s right about that. The Belarusian superstar Sabalenka has won her past 17 matches at Rod Laver Arena, and 18 of 20 at the venue overall.

“Honestly, the statistics is incredible,” Sabalenka said.

It’s not like knowing that statistic is going to help me to keep winning. I still have to go there. I still have to fight for every point.”

Another red-hot contender, American third seed Coco Gauff, faces resurgent Swiss gun Belinda Bencic later on Rod Laver Arena.

Then, men’s third seed Carlos Alcaraz will face British marathon man Jack Draper, who has survived three five-setters so far, for a place in the last eight.

Ten-time champion Novak Djokovic will be up against Czech 24th seed Jiri Lehecka in the night action.

Second seed Alexander Zverev has cruised into the fourth round and will face Frenchman Ugo Humbert on Margaret Court Arena.