MELBOURNE, Jan 23 — An emotional top seed Aryna Sabalenka survived a thorough examination from Anastasia Potapova before reaching the last 16 of the Australian Open today to keep her on track for a third Melbourne title.

The four-time Grand Slam champion needed 2hr 2min to see off the unseeded Russia-born Austrian Potapova 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (9-7) as the temperatures climbed on Rod Laver Arena.