Tennis-Sabalenka glides past Fruhvirtova into third round

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 17, 2024 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka in action during her second round match against Czech Republic's Brenda Fruhvirtova REUTERS/Tracey Nearmy

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Second seed Aryna Sabalenka continued her Australian Open title defence with another comfortable victory as the Belarusian beat 16-year-old Czech Brenda Fruhvirtova 6-3 6-2 to move into the third round on Wednesday.

Playing a second straight qualifier, Sabalenka did not have it all her way early in the opening set on Rod Laver Arena and swapped breaks with her opponent after some wayward hitting.